PLO delays internal leadership elections at last minute

Two officials say the Palestine Liberation Organisation decided at the last minute to delay internal leadership elections, which had been due next week, in a sign of growing disarray.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had called for the vote by the PLO parliament, and the postponement was a blow to his leadership.
The decision was made today by the PLO Executive Committee.
Participants Ahmed Majdalani and Saleh Rafaat say the panel felt time for preparations was insufficient. They say the committee didn't set a new date, but decided the PLO parliament, or Palestinian National Council, should meet before the end of the year.

The parliament was to have chosen new PLO leaders and to have considered a more confrontational policy toward Israel, after years of impasse in negotiations on Palestinian statehood.