[AP] Mohammed Daraghmeh - Hundreds of Palestinian business people and professionals, led by billionaire businessman Munib al-Masri, 73, launched the "Palestine Forum," a new political movement, with meetings in Ramallah and Gaza Thursday linked by video conference, reflecting growing disillusionment with Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party. Fatah dominated Palestinian politics for decades, but failed to reform or clean up its corrupt image, even after a loss to Hamas in parliament elections two years ago. Al-Masri said he plans to emphasize the economy, education and welfare programs for the needy as well as reuniting the West Bank and Gaza. Supporters said al-Masri would convert the new group into a political party and field candidates in the next Palestinian election. The U.S.-educated al-Masri runs an investment company that controls the telecommunications sector and has holdings in industry, agriculture, tourism and in banks.
2007-11-16 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive