Middle East:Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has told allies he may resign in two months if western sanctions on the Palestinian government are not lifted, a senior official said yesterday.
However, an aide to Mr Abbas denied he had made such comments.
Mr Abbas toured European and Arab capitals last month in a bid to ease an aid embargo and other sanctions imposed in response to Hamas's refusal to renounce violence or recognise Israel.
A leading figure in Mr Abbas's Fatah faction said the president, known as Abu Mazen, told senior officials from his party of his plan on Thursday. "In the next two months, if the siege is not lifted, then Abu Mazen may resign," the official told Reuters.
A resignation could increase pressure on western powers keen to bolster Mr Abbas at the expense of Hamas, which leads the Palestinian government after the 2006 election. As such, talk of resigning could be part of a negotiating strategy.
Nabil Shaath, a member of Fatah's central committee and a close aide to Mr Abbas, denied the president had discussed resignation. "Calling for a new election is not in our policy. We are committed to the government of national unity," he said.
Resignation could trigger an election which many fear could turn into a bloody showdown between Hamas and Fatah.
Meanwhile, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said this week Israel could face another Palestinian uprising unless conditions in the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank improved.
- (Reuters)