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.”