Top aide to Abbas: Postpone elections

[Colorado Blue]

The Palestinian parliament election, as of now set for July 17, should be delayed, a top Palestinian official said in an interview published Thursday, a sign of growing unease in the ruling Fatah party with electoral gains made by the Islamic militant group Hamas.

The call for a delay came from Tayeb Abdel Rahim, a senior aide to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. It was the strongest indication yet that Abbas might postpone the election, despite a promise to Hamas to hold the vote on time. Fatah activists have warned Abbas the party is headed for defeat if it goes to elections in July.

Fatah leaders say their corruption-tainted party has a better chance if the election is held after Israel's withdrawal from Gaza this summer - something Abbas can claim as an achievement - and after a party convention in August would usher some younger, reform-minded candidates into key positions.

Hamas, which gained more ground in local elections last week, insists Abbas stick to the election date, part of a truce deal the two sides negotiated in March.

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