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Source: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1101356021527
Fatah: Abbas is Our Only Candidate
(Jerusalem Post)Khaled Abu Toameh - The Fatah revolutionary council on Thursday endorsed PLO chairman Mahmoud Abbas as its official candidate in the upcoming election for the chairmanship of the PA, putting an end to jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti's ambition to run as a Fatah candidate in the election. Fatah activists said Thursday that Barghouti, defying his own party, has decided to run in the election. The Higher Committee of Fatah, an unofficial body consisting of scores of young guard Fatah figures, has openly challenged Abbas's nomination as "illegal and undemocratic." Abu Hassan Hijawi, a spokesman for Fatah prisoners in Israeli prisons, voiced support for Abbas and urged Barghouti not to run, saying it was inappropriate for a man sitting behind bars to present his candidacy. 16 Palestinians have thus far announced or signaled their intention to run to replace Arafat, reflecting the Palestinians' first real taste of democracy.