Abbas Quits Fatah

     AP     2003/07/8

Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas resigned from a key body of the mainstream Fatah movement today, a senior Palestinian source said, reflecting a split over negotiations with Israel.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Abbas stepped down from the Fatah Central Committee. Fatah, headed by Yasser Arafat has been in turmoil over declaration of a unilateral cease-fire since last month.

Another top Fatah official said that Abbas' move might be a ploy aimed at forcing recalcitrant Fatah members to agree to the way he is handling contacts with Israel, adding that Abbas was likely to withdraw his resignation.

He said these eruptions are common in Fatah. "They get mad, then they kiss and make up," he said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "In Fatah it's called the law of love. He will return."

Abbas has been Arafat's deputy in Fatah, the largest Palestinian movement, for decades.

Earlier Tuesday, Abbas called off a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, set for Wednesday. Palestinian officials cited differences over the issue of Israel's release of Palestinian prisoners.

When Fatah declared a six-month halt to attacks against Israelis on June 29, it demanded that Israel release all of the 6,500 Palestinian prisoners it is holding. Israel, which was not a party to the truce, agreed to free only a few hundred as a goodwill gesture.

The Islamic groups, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which declared three-month truces, have threatened to renew their attacks unless Israel frees all the prisoners. In a public appearance last week, Abbas promised families of prisoners that he would work for their release.

Arafat reluctantly appointed Abbas as the Palestinian prime minister in April, giving in to intense international pressure to share power. Since then, Arafat has tried to retain as much leverage as possible, asserting his authority over negotiations with Israel.