Palestinian group to pick Abbas Thank god. I can't say that I know everything about Middle East politics, but it seems to me that this is a step in the right direction. Arafat was a leader to the Palestinian people, but he was an obstacle to the rest of the world. If only he had kept up the work that won him the Nobel peace prize.

The main Palestinian political faction, Fatah, is set to pick Mahmoud Abbas as its candidate to succeed Yasser Arafat in January's presidential poll.
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Mr Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, is seen as a moderate and he has frequently negotiated with Israel.

The 69-year-old was named as chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) after Arafat died on 11 November.

Correspondents say the Fatah Revolutionary Council is certain to approve Mr Abbas' nomination on Thursday given the central committee's unanimous vote for him.

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- david | 6:51 PM