Abbas Did Not Resign as Palestine Liberation Organization Leader - Official

On Saturday, media reports emerged that Abbas and several other high-ranking officials had left PLO to pave the way for new elections.

RAMALLAH (Sputnik) — Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas did not resign as the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) leader, PLO official Saeb Erekat confirmed to Sputnik on Sunday.

Resignations of such kind have to be first submitted to the Palestinian National Council, the PLO’s parliament, Erekat, who was named secretary-general of the PLO executive committee last month, said.

According to Al Arabiya news channel, the Palestinian National Council called for an election within a month to select a new PLO executive committee.

Earlier this week, reports surfaced in the Israeli media that Abbas could possibly resign. The reports also suggested that Erekat could replace Abbas.

On June 17, Abbas accepted Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah’s resignation and announced plans to dissolve the government. Later, the PLO Executive Committee decided to create a commission with all Palestinian fractions to hold consultations on the issue of the formation of a unity government.