Profari

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, also known by Abu Mazen, has re-elected to lead Fatah movement. Thousands of delegates on Saturday celebrated at the Palestinian movement’s first convention in two decades, and giving Abbas new mandate for peace talks with Israel. Addressing the delegates in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem., Abbas openly challenged his counter part Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by swearing to liberate Palestinian land, also vowing for established an independent state and get Jerusalem as its capital.

US-backed Abbas, succeeded iconic Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in 2004 after his death. According to Fatah’s constitution he can lead the party only for 5 years, in anticipation of a new conference is held. However, it is the first time Fatah activists have met in two decades and not clear when the member can convene again.

Addressing the Fatah members after the voting Abbas promised to change. He said “This convention must be a new beginning for the Fatah movement.” He added “In our history we’ve had many launches and setbacks. Sometimes we have reached the edge of the abyss, but we have always returned stronger.”