PLO Central Council calls for early elections under proportional electoral system

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Date: 22 / 06 / 2007 Time: 10:37

Bethlehem - Ma'an -

The Palestine Liberation Organisation central council closed its meetings on Thursday evening, calling for amendments to the election laws. In particular, the council called for the establishment of a proportional electoral system rather than a district-based system.

The final statement, read by Fateh spokesman Ahmad Abdul-Rahman, stressed the need to prepare for new presidential and legislative elections after carrying out the necessary amendments.

The statement also confirmed the recent decisions made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas regarding the dissolution of former Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh's government and assigning an emergency government.

The PLO central council condemned "the bloody fighting which erupted recently" and asserted that what happened in the Gaza Strip was "a bloody coup implemented by the Hamas movement against the unity of the country." The council also asserted that this "coup" was prepared and arranged by some outside parties." They confirmed their support for Abbas and all his decisions made since the "coup".

Abdul-Rahman also read from the statement that the central council calls for the formation of a committee in order to bring all those involved in the recent incidents to justice.

Many other resolutions were passed including:

1. The condemnation of the operation implemented by Hamas against the establishments of the Palestinian Authority and the attack on the late Palestinian president, Yasser Arafat's house in the Gaza Strip.

2. The council stressed the need for the sovereignty of law.

3. The council supported Abbas' decision to declare a state of emergency.

4. The council rejected all attempts to transfer the clashes to the West Bank.

5. The council urged the "insurgents" to surrender all the establishments in the Gaza Strip and return them to the PA as before the "coup".

6. The council called for the elections to be on the basis of proportionality not by district.

7. The council emphasized the responsibility of the PA for all Palestinians in the territories including the Gaza Strip. The council also discussed compensation for the injured, dead and all people harmed because of the recent regrettable incidents.

8. The council also demonstrated their support for the Palestinian citizens of Jerusalem.

9. The council also called for the reorganization of the security bodies and the PLO monetary fund.

In addition, the statement also read that, "Palestinians have the right to struggle against the Israeli occupation." The council also discussed the crisis in Nahr Al Bared refugee camp in Lebanon and the need to end the tragedy there.

The statement also reaffirmed the council's condemnation of the attack on Arafat's house and the attack on the imprisoned PLC speaker Abdul Aziz Al-Duwaik, whose house was attacked by arsonists on Monday. The council also stressed the importance of enhancing national unity and reaffirmed that the PLO is the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinians everywhere.

At the end of the session, the speaker of the council, Salim Al-Za'anoun, confirmed that the council will hold another session around the 20th of July. In the meantime, they will be ready to meet whenever necessary.

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