Bethlehem, West Bank - By constantly intervening and presenting compromise solutions, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas succeeded in preventing a split within Fatah that has been meeting since August 4 to elect a new leadership.
Rivalries between Fatah leaders from Gaza and the West Bank have threatened divisions that would strengthen the Islamists and weaken the national, secular movement.
"A month ago we were on the verge of a split. Signs of that split were beginning to emerge. The world began to mourn Fatah and said it was over...But Fatah is indivisible," Abbas told Fatah some 2,000 members in a speech that contributed to Fatah's reunion.
Abbas' mediation and resolve to prevent splits, as well as his "unity" speech have all contributed to his emergence as Fatah's undisputed leader. Abbas, viewed as a weak leader by many members of his own movement, has asserted himself as a strong leader in control of the divided Fatah group.
"President Abbas has emerged from this conference a strong leader. He has succeeded in avoiding splits and achieving unity," Fatah local leader Ahmad Ghneim said after Abbas' speech which was interrupted by applause. Tears rolled down the cheecks of many Fatah members as Abbas instilled in them a sense of pride and determination to relead the Palestinians after being trounced by Hamas in the 2006 election.
Fatah unanimously chose Abbas as Fatah leader and gave him a new mandate for pursuing his peace policies with Israel.
Today Fatah elects its new leaders. Hamas has cracked down on Fatah members in Gaza and prevented more than 450 of them from travelling to the West Bank city of Bethlehem to take part in the Congress in what Fatah said was an attempt to weaken the secular group. These Fatah members, some detained by Hamas and others placed under house arrest, will however take part in the election process by phone, Fatah officials said.
A new Fatah leadership will be elected but will the new blood reflect a new mentality?
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