Abbas not to seek re-election in January (1st Lead)

Nov 5, 2009, 18:20 GMT

   Ramallah - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday he will not seek a second term of office in presidential and legislative elections scheduled for January 24.

'This is not debatable,' he said in a television address hours after he informed the Palestine Liberation Organization's executive committee of his intention.

   The 74-year-old leader said he hoped the executive committee would respect his decision.

Abbas has faced several setbacks in recent months, the most serious being US backtracking on its call to Israel to halt settlement construction in order to re-launch the peace process suspended since December.

In his speech Abbas made no attempt to hide his disappointment at the US position and the lack of progress in the peace process.

He said delays had been going on month for month and year for year, during which time new Jewish settlements had been established.

It was now time for the Palestinians to have their own, independent state, he said.

Earlier, executive committee member Yaser Abed Rabbo said Abbas 'is not only Fatah's choice for president, he is also the PLO's choice and the choice of the Palestinian people everywhere.'

   Abbas is head of Fatah movement, the largest Palestinian political faction. He is also PLO chairman.

   Abed Rabbo said Abbas was needed at this time to continue the political process. He added that the PLO backs Abbas' decision not to resume negotiations before Israel halts all settlement construction.