Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday said he would dismiss the parliament and call early elections to end a political crisis with Hamas, but left open the possibility of a compromise with the ruling party, PLO officials said.
Abbas disclosed his decision at a meeting of the PLO's powerful executive committee, and intends to deliver a formal nationwide speech in the coming week, maybe on Sunday, participants said, according to the AP.
"At the end of the speech, he is going to announce that he will resort to early presidential and legislative elections but will keep the door open" for forming a unity government with Hamas, said committee member Khalida Jarar.
Participants in Saturday's meeting said Abbas has not set a deadline for holding the new election. "We had an intense discussion on various options, and from what we heard, he is leaning toward going back to the people with a call for early presidential and legislative elections," said Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.
Another official close to Abbas said the election would likely be held in four or five months. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because a formal decision has not been made.
