Abbas hints at resignation after bitter party split

THE ruling Palestinian Fatah Party negotiated feverishly yesterday, trying to persuade young activists from breaking away to form their own faction, a split that might boost the prospects of Hamas militants in parliamentary elections next month.

The threatened break was a bitter blow to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who met with some of the rebels, led by jailed uprising leader Marwan Barghouti.

Mr Abbas hinted at the closed-door meeting he might resign and call an early presidential election if the group quit Fatah. He did not comment publicly on the squabble, saying only: “Whatever results come out of the ballot box will be accepted and legitimate.”

The rebel group was angered at being snubbed for top positions on Fatah’s candidate list. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the list would be reworked, putting young activists higher. But Barghouti supporters said he was determined to contest the January 25 vote on a separate slate after Mr Abbas stacked the top of the Fatah list with corruption-tainted old-timers, largely disregarding the results of recent primaries.

Local elections were being held yesterday in 42 West Bank towns, including the cities of Nablus and Ramallah. The results were likely to give an indication of the split’seffect on next month’s election, in which Hamas hopes to capitalise on the disarray in Fatah.

Barghouti, serving five life terms in an Israeli prison for involvement in deadly attacks, emerged as the most popular Fatah leader in West Bank primary elections. Former West Bank security chief Jibril Rajoub and Gaza strongman Mohammed Dahlan joined Barghouti in his new party, Fatah leaders said, adding weight to the list.

The rebels said their goal was not to destroy Fatah, but to join forces with Fatah in a coalition government.

Others said the fracture might help Hamas in its first parliamentary race.

Barghouti’s list “will strengthen Fatah because the names on the list are well-respected by everybody”, said Salim Samhan, a law student at Al-Azhar University in Gaza City.

Barghouti’s wife, Fadwa, submitted the breakaway slate - running under the name “The Future” - to Palestinian election officials just before the Wednesday deadline to register candidates for the elections.

As the political drama played out yesterday, Palestinian militants fired five rockets from Gaza into Israel but caused no injuries, the Israeli military said. Israel retaliated with an artillery barrage.

Israel also cancelled plans to allow a trial next week of a “safe passage” for Palestinians through its territory between the West Bank and Gaza.