Mon, Dec 11, 2006 - Page 6 News List

Abbas could call early elections

FRUITLESS TALKS The Palestinian president, who was elected last year, is trying to break an impasse with the Hamas majority Cabinet and legislature

AP , RAMALLAH, WEST BANK

Iran has given US$120 million to the Hamas-led government, providing some relief but not enough to cover its huge deficit.

Abbas, who has good relations with the international community, has helped funnel nearly US$250 million in aid this year from Arab countries meant to counter the effects of the Western boycott while bypassing Hamas.

Hana Amireh, a member of the PLO Executive Committee, said that the group decided on Saturday to reactivate two key departments within the largely dormant PLO, one that handles money and another that deals with negotiations with Israel.

Amireh said the PLO could once again become relevant to the international community.

Such an arrangement would suggest that Abbas, the leader of the PLO, is trying to set up a parallel government -- although his advisers have previously denied that this is his intention.

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