Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday dismissed a complaint by former prime minister Ahmed Qurei that he had lost his seat at the major decision making body of Fatah following an "unsound" election. Qurei also known as Abu Ala raised the charge after Fatah announced final results of voting for its Central Committee members.
"Our people and the world followed Fatah as it undertook an election process which was democratic and transparent," Abbas was quoted as saying by Reuters. "As for those who were unlucky in this election, that's democracy. But they will continue to have a role in the party."
Abbas said there was "no possibility of Fatah being split, especially not because of Abu Ala. He wouldn't even think of doing that." He spoke at the end of the Fatah congress, the first held in 20 years. Qurei told Reuters the Fatah congress election "from the outset ... did not meet the minimum principles of transparency."
Regarding the peace negotiations with Israel, Abbas said the Palestinians reject a proposal to establish a state with temporary borders.
