Jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti withdrew from the Jan. 9 election to replace Yasser Arafat as president of the Palestinian Authority, aides said Sunday, according to the <i>AP</I>.
Barghouti is serving five life terms in an Israeli prison. His wife filed his candidacy documents just before the deadline less than two weeks ago.
Barghouti's wife, Fadwa, called a news conference in Ramallah to read a letter from her husband harshly critical of the Fatah leadership but implying that he would pull out of the race. Aides said Fadwa would formally withdraw his candidacy on Monday.
