Abbas savours victory as Sharon struggles

Lara Sukhtian, Ramallah

The overwhelming win gave the pragmatist a mandate to resume peace talks with Israel.

But while Mr Abbas was savouring his victory in the West Bank town of Ramallah, Israeli premier Ariel Sharon was fighting for his future a few miles away in Jerusalem. He presented to parliament his new government with a solid majority in favour of his Gaza pullout plan, but approval was not automatic.