Abbas may lose Gaza in attempt to clean up Palestinian politics

WITH Gaza under the control of Hamas, pity poor Mahmoud Abbas, leader of Fatah, who took over as president of the Palestinian Authority two-and-a-half years ago, after the death of Yasser Arafat.

An academic by profession, Abbas has tried mightily to lead the Palestinian people with civility, adherence to democratic principles and disdain for violence.

Abbas introduced professional Western-style management to the presidency, but had no idea how to deal with grass-roots militants.