PLO weighs delay of internal leadership election

Two officials say the Palestine Liberation Organization is considering a last-minute delay of its internal leadership elections due next week, in a sign of growing disarray.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas had called for the vote by the PLO parliament, and a postponement until the end of the year would be a blow to his leadership.

Such a delay was being discussed Monday by the PLO Executive Committee.

Two participants said most of those present favored the delay, with some saying preparations were insufficient. They spoke on condition of anonymity because a final decision hasn’t been made.

Abbas’ critics say he had sought the internal vote to sideline rivals.

The parliament was also to have considered a more confrontational policy toward Israel, after years of impasse in negotiations on Palestinian statehood.

— AP

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas chairs a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization in the West Bank city of Ramallah on September 1, 2015. (AFP/Abbas Momani)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas chairs a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization in the West Bank city of Ramallah on September 1, 2015. (AFP/Abbas Momani)

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