Fatah backs Abbas for president

RAMALLAH, West Bank, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- The Palestinian ruling Fatah movement Monday selected Mahmoud Abbas as its candidate for president, al-Jazeera reported.

Members of Fatah's Central Committee unanimously backed former Prime Minister Abbas -- who now heads the Palestine Liberation Organization -- to be its candidate in the January election.

The election will be held to replace Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat who died last week.