According to official Palestinian television, the Central Council of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) elected Rawhi Fattouh as its new leader in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah on Monday.
Deputy heads Rawhi Fattouh, Ali Faisal, and Musa Hadid were appointed, according to state television.
Fahmy al-Zaarir, the council’s secretary, was also announced as the new secretary. Salim al-Zanoun, who recently announced his resignation, will be replaced by Fattouh.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah party includes Fattouh, Hadid, and al-Zaarir.
On Sunday, the council began its 31st session in Ramallah, despite a boycott by some Palestinian factions.
The two-day Central Council meeting on “Developing and activating PLO, defending national project and popular resistance” will debate Israeli settlement activities, particularly in occupied Jerusalem, as well as the impasse in the peace process and other political as well as domestic problems.
There are several Palestinian groups that refused to participate in the meetings because they believe they were held unilaterally and without national consensus.
These groups include the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine; Palestinian National Initiative (Al-Mubadara); Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command; and Vanguard for Popular Liberation War (As-Saiqa).
Hamas issued a statement on Friday criticizing the meeting.
