Related Event: Middle East After Arafat

The first official results have shown Palestine Liberation Organization chairman Mahmoud Abbas has been elected Palestinian president by an overwhelming victory.

Chief of the Palestinian Central Elections Committee, Hanna Nasser, announced the results on Monday afternoon.

The results showed Abbas gained some 62 percent of the votes, the independent candidate Mustafa Barghouti was ranked the second, with 19 percent.

The results were based on over 483 thousand ballots from 16 constituencies.

Hanna Nasser told reporters that the election was fair and there were no violations.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat says that though there were obstacles set by Israel, Palestinians showed their determination by going to the ballots.

Independent presidential candidate Mustafa Bargouti has congratulated Abbas on winning the Palestinian election.

Meanwhile, militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad have expressed their willingness to work with the Palestinian news leader.

Accordign to Palestinian law, the current Palestinian cabinet must present its resignation right after Abbas takes an oath of office.

Abbas is likely to reappoint the incumbent Prime Minister Ahmed Qurea in the new government.

(Photo source: yahoo.com)

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