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Journalism of Courage
The Palestinian Islamic militant group Hamas said today it would boycott a January 9 presidential election for a successor to Yasser Arafat.
‘‘We in the Islamic resistance announce our boycott and our non-participation in the presidential elections for the Palestinian Authority,’’ Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader, said in Gaza City.
Hamas had indicated previously it would not take part in the election, calling instead for a share of power in an interim post-Arafat leadership and a parliamentary vote. The favourite to succeed Arafat is Mahmoud Abbas, the candidate of the mainstream Fatah movement.
Abbas said in comments published on Wednesday in an Egyptian magazine that a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians was possible in 2005 and talks on a settlement should begin straightaway.
Abbas called on Israel to take confidence-building steps including a prisoner release and a halt to settlement construction.
Meanwhile Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s Gaza withdrawal plan looked in peril when he lost a crucial budget vote in Parliament on Wednesday, which could bring down his government and force early elections.
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Barghouthi again decides to run
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• GAZA: Jailed popular leader Marwan Barghouthi decided on Wednesday to run in the Palestinian presidential election, two Fatah officials said. |
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