The Palestinian parliament speaker, Rauhi Fattouh, will become temporary president of the Palestinian National Authority in the event of Yasser Arafat's demise, PLO leaders decided Wednesday. The decision ended attempts to change Palestinian law that provides for the speaker to be president for 60 days, until new elections are held.
Top officials from the PLO and Arafat's Fatah movement decided Wednesday that the law should not be changed, said Abbas Zaki, a Fatah official, according to The AP.
It was also decided that Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) will control the PLO, PM Ahmed Qurei (Abu Ala) will be responsible for the PA government and the National Security Council, and Fatuh will take over Arafat's official position as PA chairman.
The division of powers was expected to take effect immediately.
The Palestinian leaders also agreed Wednesday that if no elections take place within 60 days, the PLC will meet to decide the next steps. (albawaba.com)
