Palestinians: Abbas says won’t seek top PLO, Fatah posts

Kerry explained to Abbas that although the United States was engaged in the US-Iranian agreement, but it follows with deep concerns about the current developments in the Palestinian situation.

According to the official, Abbas has plans to address the assembly “in his capacity as the president of the state of Palestine, unless he decides not to seek reelection as Chairman of the PLO Executive Committee”, The Jerusalem Post reported.

“During the elections, a quarrel erupted between Abbas supporters and Dahlan loyalists”, one witness said.

In such a scenario, Abbas would still retain his most important post, as president of the Palestinian self-rule government. He said that all Palestinian factions including Hamas were welcome to take part in the PNC session. Majdalani added that an announcement has already been drafted by the preparatory committee of the Palestinian National Council.

Hamas, not a PLO member, opposed the decision to hold the session, saying it did not coordinate with the Islamic movement that has been ruling the Gaza Strip since 2007.

“It’s inconceivable that while Israel is allowing delegates to come to Ramallah, Hamas would ban PNC members from leaving the Gaza Strip”, Shtayyeh said.

Earlier in June, Maliki submittedcomplaint files to the global Criminal Court (ICC) on Israeli war crimes, Tel Aviv’s continued illegal settlement construction in the occupied territories, as well as the treatment of Palestinian prisoners.

His remarks came amid reports Israel and Hamas are conducting indirect negotiations to reach an agreement over a long-term truce in the Strip.

Currently, Abbas holds the three top positions in Palestinian politics — as president, head of the PLO and Fatah chief.