The rival Hamas and Fatah movements wrapped up months of tortuous coalition talks, saying they would present a national unity government to parliament for approval this weekend.

Israeli forces pulled out of the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun before daybreak today, completing a weeklong sweep that killed more than 50 Palestinians.

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas travelled to Gaza today for negotiations with Hamas to put what he hoped will be the finishing touches on a national unity government made up of independent experts.

Irish MEP Pronsias de Rossa has expressed optimisism about the prospects for peace in the Middle East following the election of Mahmoud Abbas as Palestinian Authority president.

Pragmatist Mahmoud Abbas was elected Palestinian Authority president by a wide margin today, exit polls showed, winning a decisive mandate to renew peace talks with Israel, rein in militants and try to end more than four years of Mideast bloodshed.

Mahmoud Abbas won 66% of the vote in the Palestinian presidential election today, according to an exit poll.

Palestinians held their first presidential election in nine years today, choosing a successor to Yasser Arafat in a vote many across the world hoped would usher in a moderate leadership and revitalise the Middle East peace process.

Palestinian presidential candidate Mahmoud Abbas cancelled a campaign stop planned in Jerusalem today, worried that Israeli security arrangements would have embarrassed him.

Interim Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas received a warm welcome in his first public campaign rally, generating some excitement for the low-key politician’s effort to succeed Yasser Arafat.

Israeli police arrested Palestinian presidential candidate Mustafa Barghouti in the Old City of Jerusalem today.

Interim Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is emerging as the front-runner in presidential elections, with an 18-point lead over jailed uprising leader Marwan Barghouti, according to the first poll on how Palestinians will vote on January 9.

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said yesterday he planned to replace his minority government with a broad coalition to push through his Gaza withdrawal plan.

Ten candidates have qualified to run in next months elections to replace Yasser Arafat as head of Palestinian Authority, officials said today.

Israel has declared Yasser Arafat an "enemy" and sent tanks and troops into his compound in the West Bank town of Ramallah.