Abbas aide resigns of smuggling affair

Ramallah: A top aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is to step down after he was caught with thousands of mobile phones in the boot of his car.

Former interim Palestinian president Rauhi Fattouh said he would resign and assume morale responsibility after 3,000 contraband mobile phones were found in his car as he was entering the West Bank last month.

Fattouh said he was unaware of the smuggling but would nevertheless resign. His driver has been formally charged.