PLO chief Mahmoud Abbas quits leadership post

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has resigned as the chief of the Palestinian Liberation Organization along with over half of the 18-member PLO executive committee, Al Arabiya News Channel reported on Saturday night.

However, he still retains his post as Palestinian president. The reasons behind his resignation were not immediately clear, although AFP reported that his quitting was a bid to force new internal elections for the top body.

The PLO's chief negotiator and well-known political figure Saeb Erekat will replace Abbas, Israel Hayom reported earlier, responding

Earlier this week, Palestinian sources said Abbas would quit his PLO post, along with PLO executive committee members.

The Times of Israel reported earlier this week that his resignation would be seen as a sign of "political instability" and "factionalism."

The Palestinian national council called for an election within a month to select a new executive committee for the PLO.

Abbas, 80, took up the position of the Ramallah-based government in 2005. On several occasions, he threatened to resign or dissolve the Palestinian Authority.
[Developing story]
 alarabiya.net 
22/8/15