Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas has named Hussein al-Sheikh as the PLO’s first-ever vice president, positioning him as a leading successor.
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas has appointed a close aide as the first-ever vice president of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), positioning him as a potential successor.
Hussein al-Sheikh, a longtime leader of Abbas’ Fatah movement, was appointed after the vice presidency was created during a convention in Ramallah. The 64-year-old is considered one of Abbas' closest allies.
Abbas has led both the PLO and the Palestinian Authority (PA) since the death of Yasser Arafat in 2004 but had long resisted internal reforms, including naming a successor.
The PLO is an umbrella organization of various Palestinian factions, excluding the militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which are currently engaged in conflict with Israeli forces in Gaza.
While the appointment does not guarantee al-Sheikh the presidency, it positions him as the clear frontrunner and may help ease international concerns over Palestinian leadership succession.
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