Uncertainty as Abbas says he will not run again

By Mohammed Daraghmeh and Ron Bousso - Saturday, November 07, 2009

MIDEAST peace prospects have been plunged into unknown territory as no prospective leaders emerged publicly yesterday in the aftermath of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s announcement that he doesn’t want another term.

Abbas’ announcement opens the way to a succession battle that could play into the hands of his rival, the militant Hamas.

Israel is keen on Abbas staying in office, officials said yesterday.

France, a traditional ally of the Palestinians, urged Abbas to press on with his peace efforts and the Arab League called on him to reconsider his decision amid small demonstrations of support for Abbas in the occupied West Bank.

Israel’s popular Ynet news website quoted an official as saying: "It’s in Israel’s interest to have Abbas stay in office."

Insiders say he was disheartened by Washington’s refusal to press Israel harder for a freeze on West Bank settlement construction, and that this week’s visit by Clinton, when she appeared to side with Israel over the settlement issue, was the last straw.

Abbas has insisted that he won’t resume negotiations until Israel stops all construction.

If he were to concede on that issue, Fatah could lose the election. If that happened, the international community would have no one to deal with but Hamas.

Abbas took over after the death of Yasser Arafat in 2004, and Western leaders have come to see him as a symbol of moderation.

But the stalemate with Israel overshadows all, and Fatah activists say the party is in a panic, fearing a fragmented slate of candidates that would hand victory to Hamas.

Late last month, Abbas told US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton he would not run, but recanted after President Barack Obama called him and expressed his commitment to Mideast peacemaking, Abbas’s aides said.

The most attractive candidate to replace 74-year-old Abbas would likely be Marwan Barghouti, 49, who was jailed for life in 2002 for his involvement in fatal Palestinian attacks. Activists say Barghouti, is determined to run from prison.

Yossi Sarid, an Israeli former lawmaker said Israel and the US humiliated Abbas, leading to his decision: "This means that we are probably entering a terrible period where the extremists will run the show".

In case Abbas steps down, Fatah insiders are promoting Nasser Al-Kidwa, 50, as a candidate. He has served as the Palestinian representative at the UN, is not linked with the corruption and has the additional benefit of being Arafat’s nephew.

After Abbas’ speech, Clinton declined to say whether she would urge Abbas to stay on.