Palestinian leaders moved today toward a postponement of their first congress in nearly 20 years, officials said, as speculation mounted over the intentions of president Mahmud Abbas.
The meeting of the Palestine National Council, a congress representing those in the Palestinian territories and the diaspora, was to take place on September 14-15, but a new date is likely to be set.
"The executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation during its meeting today called on the head of the PNC Salim al-Zanoon to set a new date" for the congress, said PLO official Wassel Abu Yussef.
Abbas recently announced his resignation as chairman of the PLO in a bid to force new elections for its executive committee.
His resignation along with a number of others from the 18-member committee will only take effect with a meeting of the PNC, which includes more than 700 people.
He remains president of the Palestinian Authority and leader of his Fatah party.
Abbas's allies say his recent moves are part of efforts to inject new blood in the Palestinian leadership.
Critics, however, argue that Abbas is manoeuvring to empower his allies and marginalise opponents ahead of the 80-year-old's eventual retirement.
Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip, has called for a boycott of the congress. Hamas and Fatah remain deeply divided.
