Palestinian officials doubtful about elections

[Behind the Aegis]

Reporting from Jerusalem - Palestinian officials trying to organize a Jan. 24 election recommended Thursday that the vote be postponed, a move that could prolong uncertainty over Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' political future and the prospect for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Abbas, who is considered a reliable and moderate leader by the West, threw the Palestinian Authority into a crisis last week by declaring he would not seek reelection. Since then, his Palestinian backers, along with some Israeli officials and leaders of Western governments, have urged him to reconsider.

The independent election commission's call to delay the voting for president and a parliament gives Abbas, 74, the option to heed his supporters' calls and stay in office indefinitely. The commission did not propose a new election date.

A spokesman for Abbas, Nabil abu Rudaineh, said the Palestinian leader would decide on the proposed delay after returning from a trip to Jordan.

Other Palestinian Authority officials said a January election was impossible in light of Hamas' refusal to permit voting in the Gaza Strip, which the militant group controls.

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