Ramallah: The Palestine Liberation
Organisation indefinitely extended Mahmoud Abbas' term as
Palestinian president on Wednesday and endorsed his refusal to
negotiate with Israel unless it freezes all settlement
construction.
The decision, which was expected, nonetheless gave an
important vote of confidence to the embattled president.
Abbas' inability to reconcile with the rival Hamas movement or
wrest concessions from Israel has hurt his popularity among
many Palestinians.
The Western-backed Abbas has repeatedly threatened to
step down in frustration over the impasse with Israel, while
simultaneously hinting that he could be persuaded to remain in
office.
Today's vote by the PLO's Central Council gives Abbas
more time to work out his problems.
He did say, though, in an interview published today, that
Israel and the Palestinians could reach a comprehensive peace
deal within six months if Israel completely froze settlement
construction.
The vote endorsed Abbas' earlier decision to call off
presidential and parliamentary elections, which had been set
for January. Abbas says it is impossible to hold the election
due to Hamas' refusal to allow voting in its Gaza Strip
stronghold.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, December 16, 2009, 23:28