PLO adopts new national council law

The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Executive Committee has adopted a draft law on national elections, marking the 49th anniversary of the movement. The new law rules on presidential and legislative elections in the West Bank, also defining the future membership of the national council. The executive committee, which is headed by Fatah leader and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, is reportedly “pleased” with the decision. The organisation plans to form a committee to investigate ways of petitioning Israel to launch a settlement freeze ahead of planned peace talks. Leaders must still decide on other issues though, including Palestinian armed forces and factions, independent politicians and the presidency of the future national assembly. Decisions would remain in the hands of President Abbas and the Executive Committee, leading Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmad said.