President Mahmoud Abbas announced his readiness to hold presidential and parliamentary elections within a year, contingent on circumstances. At an Arab League summit, he also proposed the creation of a vice-presidential role and offered amnesty to expelled Fatah members. Abbas reaffirmed the Palestinian Authority’s status as the legitimate governing body while addressing issues of reconstruction in Gaza.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas declared his readiness to conduct presidential and parliamentary elections within a year, contingent upon suitable circumstances. This announcement was made during the Arab League summit focused on Gaza reconstruction held in Cairo. In addition, he revealed plans to establish a vice-presidential role within his government and extend amnesty to expelled members of the Fatah party.
During the Cairo summit, foreign supporters of the Palestinian Authority had long advocated for the introduction of a vice-presidential position. Abbas, aged 89, has been in power since 2005, following the death of Yasser Arafat. He was elected for a four-year term the following year, with no subsequent presidential elections held since then.
Abbas articulated his commitment to restructuring the Palestinian Authority while addressing Arab leaders. He stated, “We are fully prepared to hold general presidential and legislative elections next year, provided that the appropriate conditions are met in Gaza, the West Bank, and east Jerusalem.”
One of the expelled members who could benefit from the announced amnesty is Mohammed Dahlan, a former Fatah security chief in Gaza. He was excluded from Fatah after conflict with Hamas, which now governs Gaza. Currently residing in the UAE, Dahlan faces corruption allegations.
In addition to his electoral commitments, Abbas suggested that Arab states should deploy troops to maintain order in post-war Gaza, with financial support from Saudi Arabia and the UAE for reconstruction efforts. He reaffirmed the legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority as the sole governing body in the Palestinian territories.
The last presidential election in the Palestinian territories took place in January 2005, and the last legislative elections were held in January 2006, subsequently leading to a political stalemate due to internal clashes between Hamas and Fatah.
In summary, President Mahmoud Abbas expressed his willingness to hold elections in the Palestinian territories within a year, emphasizing the need for conducive conditions. The introduction of a vice-presidential role and an amnesty for expelled party members reflects a potential shift in Palestinian governance. The comments made at the Arab League summit highlight Abbas’s commitment to reconstructing Gaza and maintaining the Palestinian Authority’s legitimacy.
Original Source: www.france24.com
