Abbas will remain in power despite rumors

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will remain in power as President of the Palestinian Authority despite circulating rumors stating that he has been threatening to resign amid major protests about the economic downturn in the West Bank, Fatah's Central Committee Member Dr. Jamal Muhaisin stressed on Thursday. Muhaisin told KUNA that "during Abbas' meeting with the Palestinian blocs, few days ago, he might have said things that were 'unintentional' in the heat of the moment." During the meeting, Abbas criticized a wave of protests against him for bringing the West Bank's economy down and asked to find a replacement for him. However, his comment was "not serious." Abbas has played a major role in making some of the tremendous decisions that have brought to light the modern Palestinian revolution, he noted.