Abbas. To resign at end of term
Photo: AP
Election campaign in Jerusalem. Hamas gains in strength
Photo: Reuters
Palestinian Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday he has not ruled out the possibility of resigning as Palestinian Authority leader.
"If my political plan does not succeed, I will not hold on to my seat,” he said, referring to the political reforms he intends to implement, to economic stabilization and to putting an end to anarchy in the PA.
Vote in Capital
Efrat Weiss
Police officers shut down Hamas headquarters in capital, detain four members including organization's head in east Jerusalem
During a conversation with the Palestinian news network, Abbas said that in any event he does not plan to run for an additional term as PA leader, after the present term ends in another three-years.
Abbas said he was proud that his insistence that east Jerusalem residents be allowed to vote in Palestinian elections proved successful, and that despite pressures exerted on him, Hamas will participate in the vote.
Fatah losing strength
An opinion poll published in the territories Saturday, shows Abbas’ ruling Fatah party winning the vote by a five percent margin against rival Hamas.
The poll showed that 35 percent of Palestinian voters back Fatah as opposed to 30 percent of respondents who support Hamas.
Nablus University pollsters say the margin is the narrowest between the two rivals since the first elections in 1993.
But experts warn that Hamas’ election ticket of fighting corruption and mismanagement could tip the balance in its favor, especially as its activists prepare to intensify campaigning over the final 10 days.