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.

The new government includes the moderate Labor Party, with its leader, Shimon Peres, as Mr Sharon's second vice-premier, alongside Ehud Olmert of Mr Sharon's Likud Party.

However, a tense no-confidence vote was expected after a parliament debate. Thirteen Likud members, opposed to Mr Sharon's pull-out plan, threatened to vote against the new government.

The new coalition government includes parties with 66 of the 120 seats in the Knesset but, if the 13 Likud rebels vote against it, the government majority disappears.

Mr Sharon warned the rebels in a party meeting ahead of the vote that they would bring a "disaster" on the country if they prevented the formation of the new coalition and forced early elections.

"Gentlemen, this time it won't happen. These same people who are trying to destroy and divide the Likud won't succeed," Mr Sharon told the parliamentarians, with a stern look on his face.

Mr Sharon hopes to withdraw Israeli troops and 8,800 Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements by the end of the summer.

Mr Abbas too has major problems.

He could easily lose his political capital over a major bombing or shooting attack and, while most militant groups signalled that they are willing to give him a chance, not all have signed on to a truce with Israel.

Still, Mr Abbas's victory with more than 62% of the votes 40% ahead of his nearest rival held out the promise of a new era after four decades of chaotic and corruption-riddled rule by Yasser Arafat.

Mr Abbas, who has spoken out against violence and has the support of the international community, promises to reform the government and the unwieldy security services.

US president George W Bush said he would welcome Mr Abbas to the White House, extending an invitation he refused to offer to the late Yasser Arafat.

He said he was heartened by the Palestinian elections and offered his congratulations.

"The United States stands ready to help the Palestinian people realise their aspirations," he said.

Mr Bush also pledged support for a conference in London on Palestinian reform.

Many Palestinians have high expectations of Mr Abbas, widely known as Abu Mazen. "Today is the beginning of a new future," said Sami Radwan, aged 55, a restaurant owner in Gaza City.

"Abu Mazen is the right choice. He is the one who can bring us peace, good business and security."

In his acceptance speech, Mr Abbas said he faces a difficult mission, but he

reiterated that he would not go after militants. Instead, he said, he wants to "give our fugitives a life of dignity", referring to those wanted by Israel.

"I present this victory to the soul of Yasser Arafat and present it to our people and to our martyrs."