A senior Fatah official said negotiations are under way to convince Marwan Barghouti to withdraw from the race for Palestinian Authority president. Hatem Abdel Kader, a member of Fatah's Higher Committee, was quoted on the Voice of Palestine Radio as saying Tuesday that Barghouti's final decision will be taken within the next two days. | "Is that your final answer?" |
"Contacts are under way with Barghouti to convince him to pull out his candidacy to protect Palestinian unity," Abdel Kader said. | "We're gonna make him a offer he can't refuse." |
Barghouti, Fatah chief in the West Bank, is competing in the race with Mahmoud Abbas, the chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Fatah's sole nominee. Barghouti, a popular figure, is serving a life sentence in Israel on conviction of involvement in terrorist attacks against Israeli targets. | Most likely that's the safest place for him. |
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