Palestinian president agrees to postpone January elections; new date to be set

Palestinian president agrees to delay elections

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has agreed to postpone parliamentary and presidential elections that had been set for January.

The Palestinian Election Commission said Friday it would meet in December to set a new date, though the Gaza Strip’s Hamas rulers maintain they will boycott the vote.

Abbas said in an interview with BBC Arabic on Thursday that he hopes to reconcile with his Hamas rivals so a vote can go forward in Gaza, as well as the West Bank and Arab areas of Jerusalem. Abbas’ government only controls the West Bank.

The Election Commission recommended the delay last week because of Hamas opposition. Hamas objected because it said Abbas’ Fatah movement pressed forward with election plans without consulting it.