Palestinians to hold elections by September

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Palestinians to hold elections by September

The Associated Press Published Saturday, February 12, 2011 11:24AM EST

Palestinian authority President Mahmoud Abbas talks during a presser following his meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, not pictured, at the Presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010. (AP / Amr Nabil)

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RAMALLAH, West Bank - A top aide to President Mahmoud Abbas says the Palestinians will hold presidential and legislative elections by September.

The move appeared to be a response to the popular protests that drove Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to step down late Friday.

Elections were supposed to have been held last year, but the vote was put off because of the split between Abbas' government in the West Bank and the rival Hamas rulers in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas rose to power in Palestinian elections in 2006. Both sides have been cool to holding a new vote.

Abbas aide Yasser Abed Rabbo announced the plans for elections at a press conference Saturday. He did not give a date.

Abbas' chief peace negotiator, Saeb Erekat, also announced he was resigning.