Uprising a mistake, says Arafat's likely successor

The armed uprising against Israel was a mistake and should end, interim Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said today, speaking publicly for the first time about a long-held view.

Abbas, the current PLO leader, is the front-runner to replace Yasser Arafat in next month’s election for Palestinian Authority president. A pragmatist who opposes violence, he has the support of Israel and the international community.