Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has recently made it clear that he does not intend to run for another term, PA officials here said Thursday. Abbas, who was elected in January 2005 in the first presidential election in the PA following the death of his predecessor, Yasser Arafat, prefers to retire and devote more time to his family, the officials told The Jerusalem Post. | "I doubt if the president will run for another term," said one aide. "He has hinted more than once that he is tired and wants to relax." |
Abbas, according to some of his aides, is planning to call early elections within the next six months. "I doubt if the president will run for another term," said one aide. "He has hinted more than once that he is tired and wants to relax."
Abbas's status within his own Fatah faction has been dealt a severe blow following Hamas's violent takeover of the Gaza Strip last June. Many Fatah leaders and activists have openly blamed him for the Hamas "coup," saying it was Abbas's conciliatory approach toward Hamas increased the Islamist movement's appetite.