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10/01/2005
Abbas wins Palestinian Presidential election
Mahmoud Abbas has achieved a landslide victory in the Palestinian Presidential elections.
Mr Abbas, the moderate leader of the Fatah political faction, will be the successor to Yasser Arafat who died last year.
Mr, Abbas, who was the former Prime Minister in Palestine before he resigned, reportedly over Mr Arafat's unwillingness to transfer power, was named PLO chief, when the PLO leader died in Paris last November.
Yasser Arafat had fallen seriously ill at the end of October 2004 and was flown to Paris for treatment for an illness related to "low blood platelet count". The 75-year-old slipped into a coma on November 3 and died on November 11 from a brain haemorrhage.
Militant group, Hamas, alleged that Mr Arafat had been poisoned by Israeli agents, although these claims were rejected by Palestinian officials.
Mr Abbas won the election with 62.3% of the vote. His main rival, Mustafa Barghouti, achieved 19.8%.
Israeli PM, Ariel Sharon, has welcomed the result, but has warned the new Palestinian president that he will be assessed on the way he battles terrorism and dismantled its infrastructure.
Mr Abbas has stated that he is willing to talk peace with Israel and has also called for an end to the Palestinian armed uprising.
Liberal Democrats Shadow Foreign Secretary, Sir Menzies Campbell, said that the result offered "a golden chance" to create progress in the Middle East peace process.
Commenting on the election result, Sir Menzies said: "History will not look kindly on those who do not do everything in their power to achieve a long lasting settlement."
(KMcA/SP)
Mr Abbas, the moderate leader of the Fatah political faction, will be the successor to Yasser Arafat who died last year.
Mr, Abbas, who was the former Prime Minister in Palestine before he resigned, reportedly over Mr Arafat's unwillingness to transfer power, was named PLO chief, when the PLO leader died in Paris last November.
Yasser Arafat had fallen seriously ill at the end of October 2004 and was flown to Paris for treatment for an illness related to "low blood platelet count". The 75-year-old slipped into a coma on November 3 and died on November 11 from a brain haemorrhage.
Militant group, Hamas, alleged that Mr Arafat had been poisoned by Israeli agents, although these claims were rejected by Palestinian officials.
Mr Abbas won the election with 62.3% of the vote. His main rival, Mustafa Barghouti, achieved 19.8%.
Israeli PM, Ariel Sharon, has welcomed the result, but has warned the new Palestinian president that he will be assessed on the way he battles terrorism and dismantled its infrastructure.
Mr Abbas has stated that he is willing to talk peace with Israel and has also called for an end to the Palestinian armed uprising.
Liberal Democrats Shadow Foreign Secretary, Sir Menzies Campbell, said that the result offered "a golden chance" to create progress in the Middle East peace process.
Commenting on the election result, Sir Menzies said: "History will not look kindly on those who do not do everything in their power to achieve a long lasting settlement."
(KMcA/SP)
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11 November 2004
Arafat passes away in French hospital
The Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has died at a French military hospital in the early hours of this morning. The 75-year-old Palestinian leader is understood to have died from a brain haemorrhage after slipping into a coma on November 3.
Arafat passes away in French hospital
The Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has died at a French military hospital in the early hours of this morning. The 75-year-old Palestinian leader is understood to have died from a brain haemorrhage after slipping into a coma on November 3.
11 November 2004
British government pays tribute to Palestinian leader
The British government has paid tribute to the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and offered its condolences to the Palestinian people. Speaking this morning, Prime Minister Tony Blair said that Mr Arafat, who "came to symbolise the Palestinian national movement", would be chiefly remembered for his "historic acceptance" of the two-state solution.
British government pays tribute to Palestinian leader
The British government has paid tribute to the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and offered its condolences to the Palestinian people. Speaking this morning, Prime Minister Tony Blair said that Mr Arafat, who "came to symbolise the Palestinian national movement", would be chiefly remembered for his "historic acceptance" of the two-state solution.
01 March 2005
Abbas pledges reforms at Middle-East conference
The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has told delegates at a high level conference in London that he is committed to reforms.
Abbas pledges reforms at Middle-East conference
The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has told delegates at a high level conference in London that he is committed to reforms.
09 February 2005
Palestinian militants say ceasefire is 'not binding'
Yesterday's historic ceasefire between Israel and the newly elected Palestinian leadership has been disowned by both Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the two Palestinian militant groups responsible for most of the attacks on Israel during the four-year Intifada.
Palestinian militants say ceasefire is 'not binding'
Yesterday's historic ceasefire between Israel and the newly elected Palestinian leadership has been disowned by both Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the two Palestinian militant groups responsible for most of the attacks on Israel during the four-year Intifada.
08 February 2005
Israeli and Palestinian leaders announce Middle East ceasefire
Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon and Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, have announced a ceasefire, during talks in Egypt today. Mr Sharon announced a cessation of military action against Palestinians and Mr Abbas announced an immediate ceasefire.
Israeli and Palestinian leaders announce Middle East ceasefire
Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon and Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, have announced a ceasefire, during talks in Egypt today. Mr Sharon announced a cessation of military action against Palestinians and Mr Abbas announced an immediate ceasefire.
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