GAZA CITY, Gaza, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Sources close to beleaguered Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas denied reports he will resign Thursday, Ha'aretz reported.
Abbas is scheduled to address the legislature in Ramallah in a speech in which he is expected to list the achievements of his first four months in office. Israel State Radio said contrary to prior reports, the lawmakers will not hold a vote of confidence at the conclusion of Abbas' remarks.
The power struggle between Abbas and Chairman Yasser Arafat has been the subject of intense speculation in recent days, with a flood of conflicting accounts over the extent of the estrangement between the two leaders.
Washington and Israel have repeatedly stated they view Abbas as the Palestinians' legitimate leader for peace negotiations. But Abbas has scant popular support within the territories while Arafat is still viewed as a main symbol of Palestinian nationalism.
