Fatah looks to younger leaders in bid for Palestine
Friday, 21 March 2008
RAMALLAH, Mar 20 (Reuters): The once-dominant Fatah faction is looking for new blood as it struggles to draw popular support away from its Islamist rival Hamas and overcome diplomatic deadlock in Palestinian peace efforts with Israel.
President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah is widely expected to convene select members this year, for the first time since 1989, for internal votes at which a "young guard" of grassroots leaders will try to win posts in two key decision-making bodies.
Though no date or venue has been set, the conference is seen by Fatah stalwarts as a last chance to restore political viability to a faction in disarray since its shock loss of legislative elections to Hamas Islamists in January 2006.
President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah is widely expected to convene select members this year, for the first time since 1989, for internal votes at which a "young guard" of grassroots leaders will try to win posts in two key decision-making bodies.
Though no date or venue has been set, the conference is seen by Fatah stalwarts as a last chance to restore political viability to a faction in disarray since its shock loss of legislative elections to Hamas Islamists in January 2006.