Palestinians postpone first congress in 20 years

RAMALLAH — Palestinian officials said Wednesday that a first congress in nearly 20 years set for mid-September will be postponed to an undetermined date amid speculation over the intentions of President Mahmoud Abbas.

The postponement should not be more than three months, Salim Al Zanoon, head of the Palestinian National Council, told reporters, with key members of the Palestinian leadership calling for more time to prepare.

The meeting of the PNC, a congress representing those in the Palestinian territories and the diaspora, was to take place on September 14-15. 

The PNC serves as the parliament of the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

The meeting of the PNC comes with speculation intensifying over the intentions of Abbas, who recently announced his resignation as PLO chairman.

His resignation along with a number of others from the 18-member executive committee will only take effect with a meeting of the PNC, which includes more than 700 people.

He remains president of the Palestinian Authority and leader of his Fateh Party.

Abbas’ allies say his recent moves are part of efforts to inject new blood in the Palestinian leadership.

Critics, however, argue that Abbas is manoeuvring to empower his allies and marginalise opponents ahead of the 80-year-old’s eventual retirement.

Reports that Abbas was considering cancelling the 1990s Oslo peace accords later this month at the UN General Assembly since they have not led to a Palestinian state have added to the uncertainty.

Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip, and Fateh meanwhile remain deeply divided.

Hamas chief Khaled Mishaal earlier this week said the congress should be postponed until a compromise is struck. 

Mishaal, speaking in Qatar where he lives in exile, said Palestinian leaders from Hamas and Fateh had to present a unified front.