Fatah accused of election fraud

JERUSALEM, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Former Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei questioned the results of the Fatah leadership elections and accused the organization of vote fraud.

In an interview with the London based al-Quds-al-Arabi newspaper Thursday, Qurei who was not re-elected to the Central Committee, said he questioned the way the votes were counted and alleged some names were removed from and others added to the winning list, The Jerusalem Post said Friday.

He also accused Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas of intervening to secure spots for his supporters, the paper said.

The paper said Fatah members in Gaza, who were elected to the movement's higher committee, resigned in protest.

The Palestinian Maan news agency said members opposing the election outcome intend to deliver a letter that lists election violations to Abbas today after prayers.

The elections for a new Fatah leadership highlighted the sixth Fatah general assembly in Bethlehem earlier this month, It was attended by local Palestinian members and scores from neighboring Arab countries.