Palestinian leader delays first elections in 15 years

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Mohamad Torokman/Pool Photo via AP)

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that the main factions have agreed to delay the first elections planned in 15 years, citing a dispute with Israel over voting in east Jerusalem.

The decision spares Mr Abbas’ fractured Fatah party from what was widely expected to be another embarrassing defeat to the Islamic militant group Hamas.