Palestinian president promises to solve Fatah election crisis

The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stressed he will deal positively with the results of the preliminary results of the Palestine national liberation movement Fatah in the areas were the elections are held.

Fatah decided last Monday to stop the voting operation in certain circles in Gaza following acts of violence and protests by gunmen on the election lists. News reports said that Fatah resumed voting to choose its candidates in Jerusalem area and this process was to be continued in the areas of Hebron, Toulkarem and Salfit in the West Bank.

Abbas did not explain whether Fatah movement will continue this election operation in other areas in order to choose its candidates for the Legislative Council elections tobe held January 25, 2006.

Abbas told journalists in Ramullah that the gaps will be dealt with, and an appropriate solution will be found for the areas where the elections did not take place. Officials in Fatah said that Abbas may issue instructions to hold a new round for the elections in certain areas, or to abrogate this process and form a committee to help him appoint the candidates himself.