Abbas: 'No desire' to run for re-election

JERUSALEM, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday he has "no desire" to run for another term in the upcoming election.

In a televised address, Abbas -- who succeeded Yasser Arafat as head of the Palestine Liberation Organization and has served as PA president since 2005 -- said he has spoken with PLO leaders to let them know of his plans for the election he has called for January, The New York Times reported.

"I have told my brethren in the PLO that I have no desire to run in the forthcoming election," Abbas said.

There is some doubt the PA elections will be held as scheduled in January, the Times said, because of the difficulty in achieving reconciliation between Abbas's party, Fatah, and Hamas, which governs Gaza. Abbas would remain in office until elections are held, the newspaper said.

Senior Palestinian officials told Yedioth Aharonoth Thursday Abbas has told aides to look for another candidate for the elections.

The Palestinian leader is disappointed by failed U.S. attempts to jump start the peace process with Israel, officials told the newspaper. Senior officials said the Palestinian leader already has informed the Fatah central committee to find another candidate, the newspaper said.

Abbas's standing deteriorated over the United Nations' Goldstone report and his failure to secure an agreement with Hamas to unify the Palestinian people, the officials said. Abbas, they said, has also failed to secure a change in U.S. policy concerning Israeli settlements, the newspaper said.

The officials said a number of options are under consideration, including the possibility of dismantling the Palestinian Authority and allowing Israel to manage civilian matters, the paper said.