Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed group of Fatah, announced its endorsement to PLO leader Mahmud Abbas in the race for Palestinian Authority president.
"We announce our commitment and complete support to our brother Abu Mazen (Abbas) who we believe will implement the will of the Palestinian people," the Brigades said in a statement sent to AFP.
Al-Aqsa's declaration said that it was crucial that the Palestinians remain united but also appealed for reforms to be implemented, especially within Fatah. "We appeal for national unity and the continuation of efforts to organise the Palestinian house in order to thwart all the attempts by the enemy whose aim is to create internal conflict," the statement said.
"We call for more democracy in Palestinian society both in general and inside the (Fatah) movement, in order to implement the democratic choice at all levels of the movement and ... and to fight corruption."
