MIDDLE EAST: The jailed Fatah leader, Marwan Barghouti, last night made it clear he would not stand in elections for the leadership of the Palestinian Authority from his cell in Israel, calling on Palestinians to support his party's chosen candidate, the former prime minister, Mr Mahmoud Abbas.
With the elections some six weeks away, the move by Barghouti, who commands strong grassroots support in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, essentially opens the way to Mr Abbas and ensures there will not be a split in the ruling Fatah party.
The announcement that Barghouti would not be standing was made in Ramallah by one of his close associates, Mr Kadoura Fares. Earlier in the day Mr Fares met Barghouti, who is one of the most prominent leaders of the Intifada uprising.
He is in jail in southern Israel where he is serving five life terms after being convicted by an Israeli court of involvement in attacks that killed four Israelis and a Greek monk.
Speaking at a press conference, Mr Fares said that after a meeting "of four hours, during which we debated this issue, Marwan Barghouti sends this message to the Palestinian people and its fighters ... He calls on the members of the movement to support Mahmoud Abbas."
He added that Barghouti was also calling on Palestinians to continue the uprising and the struggle for independence.
The announcement came just 24 hours after associates of Barghouti said the 45-year-old head of Fatah in the West Bank, had decided to stand in the elections. Senior members of the ruling party spent much of yesterday trying to ensure Barghouti would not, fearing it would split the movement and assist Islamic groups such as Hamas.
Barghouti represents the younger generation of Palestinian activists who have emerged as leaders from the first and second intifadas, and who are critical of the Palestinian old guard, including Mr Abbas and the Prime Minister, Mr Ahmed Korei.
While both Barghouti and Mr Abbas support a two-state solution to the conflict, they differ in their views on the Intifada. Barghouti has supported attacks on soldiers and settlers in the territories, while Mr Abbas has called for an end to all armed actions.