Abbas threatens to resign over sanctions

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has threatened to resign in two months if Western sanctions on his country are not lifted.

His comments were intended to put pressure on the US and EU who are eager to support Mr Abbas at the expense of the legally elected islamist Hamas party which leads the Palestinian government.

Just last month Mr Abbas toured European and Arab capitals in a bid to ease an aid embargo and other economic sanctions imposed in response to Hamas's refusal to renounce violence or recognise Israel.

"In the next two months, if the siege is not lifted, then Abu Mazen may resign," a leading figure in Abbas's secular Fatah faction said.

Mr Abbas, popularly known as Abu Mazen, made the remark at a meeting of senior Fatah officials on Thursday.

Resignation could trigger an election which many fear could turn into a bloody showdown between Hamas and Fatah militants.

Mr Abbas had hoped to ease factional fighting and persuade Western nations and Israel to end sanctions that have crippled the Palestinian economy by forming a unity coalition government in March, including Fatah ministers under Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas. The embargo, however, continues.

"He is very frustrated at the continuation of the siege. He hoped by forming the unity government the sanctions would be eased. That is not happening. He is very frustrated," a Fatah official said.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.