PA leader lays out succession plan

Deputy elevated as apparent heir

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Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, speaks via video link from his headquarters during a special summit at the United Nations headquarters, on Sept 22.NYT

Mahmoud Abbas, the octogenarian Palestinian president, announced on Sunday that his deputy would temporarily assume the leadership of the Palestinian Authority (PA) were he to die or step down.

The announcement followed pressure by Arab countries on Mr Abbas to designate a clear heir for the authority, which administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Much of the international community hopes the PA could play a role in the postwar Gaza Strip, although Israel rejects its involvement.

Mr Abbas, 89, has controlled the PA since he was elected to a four-year term in 2005. He has not held presidential elections since and has resisted appointing a realistic heir.

Palestinian commentators said the announcement on succession showed Mr Abbas, who had long avoided moves that could threaten his grip on power, now seemed to have few options left.