Thousands of Palestinians gathered near Yasser Arafat's grave in his old West Bank compound today for a subdued commemoration of their leader's death a year ago.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, his successor, led a rally attended by top officials from major factions and a handful of foreign diplomats in honour of Mr Arafat.
The focus of the official commemoration was his old headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah where he spent his final years isolated and encircled by the Israeli army.
"I renew the pledge to continue on the path that he started and exert whatever efforts are needed to raise the flag of Palestine on the walls, the minarets and the churches of Jerusalem," Mr Abbas said in a speech at the rally.
Mr Abbas, like many in the crowd, wore the traditional Palestinian "keffiyeh" scarf that became Arafat's trademark.
Pictures of Arafat were held by many in the crowd. Mr Abbas earlier laid the foundation stone for a new mausoleum complex while Koranic verses were broadcast over loudspeakers.
Many shops in West Bank cities stayed closed, with portraits of Mr Arafat adorning their shutters. Smaller ceremonies were held in Bethlehem and Hebron.
In the Gaza Strip, a low-key memorial gathering was held last night.
Mr Arafat's death, after years of being shunned by the United States and Israel, who considered him an obstacle to peace, stirred hope for a revival of peacemaking for the first time in years.
Mr Abbas, elected in January on a platform of non-violence, forged a ceasefire agreement that smoothed the way for Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip after 38 years of occupation. But flare-ups of fighting have dampened immediate prospects for any real breakthrough towards peace.