Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appoints new deputy
Hussein al-Sheikh’s elevation to the role marks a major step by Mr Abbas in designating his eventual successor.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has named a veteran aide and confidant as his new vice president.
The appointment of Hussein al-Sheikh is a major step by the ageing leader towards designating a successor.
The move does not guarantee that Mr al-Sheikh, as vice president of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), will be the next Palestinian president.
But it makes him the front-runner among long-time politicians in the dominant Fatah party who hope to succeed the 89-year-old Mr Abbas.
Mr Abbas hopes to play a major role in post-war Gaza. He has been under pressure from Western and Arab allies to rehabilitate the Palestinian Authority, which has limited autonomy in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
The PLO is the internationally recognised representative of the Palestinian people and oversees the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. Mr Abbas has led both entities for two decades.
