Observers call Fat'h conference a successful coup against old guard

Published today (updated) 11/08/2009 22:04 Bethlehem - Ma'an -

Analysts, observers, and former Palestinian ministers labeled the Sixth Fat'h Congress a success even before the final ballot count was complete on Tuesday night.

“The Fat'h movement was re-born, it became stronger and more united, making the movement capable of dealing with all sorts of challenges both internally and externally,” one analyst said shortly before Fat'h officials announced that results from the Revolutionary Council elections, which will determine 80 out of 120 spots on the second highest ruling body of the party, would not be announced until Wednesday.

Preliminary results from the Central Council elections - the party’s highest body - were announced early Tuesday, but a one-vote margin between those in the 18th, 19th, and 20th places (there are 18 elected seats on the council) prompted a recount.

Former Palestinian minister of prisoners' affairs Ashraf Al-Ajrami said the revitalization of the governing bodies meant those responsible for “a large part of the failures of 'Aynain” are no longer in the party’s leadership. 

"Despite the lack of just accountability [within 'Aynain over the last 20 years], many from the old generation were held accountable today when they failed in elections for the Central Committee," Al-Ajrami said.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was described as the “biggest winner” by Al-Ajrami and dozens of observers, who noted he came out of the congress with legitimate support and a strong mandate to lead.

Political analyst Hani Al-Masri called the election of a “new generation” to the Central Committee as "white coup against the old generation who played a role in the loss of legislative elections and the fall of Gaza to Hamas."

Most of those announced as Central Council members, however, have held a government position at some point in their careers. No women were elected to the committee.

Al-Masri warned, however, that Fat'h’s rejuvenated appearance would have to be sustained by “implementation of programs and plans to build the movement's institutions apart from the Palestinian Authority.”

He went on to say that "Fat'h isn't afraid of signing agreement with Hamas anymore, because in the past, the weak Fat'h was afraid that Hamas might swallow it."

Talal 'Ukal, another political analyst, said the number of candidates on the Fat'h ballot indicated a “new beginning” for the party, wherein a new leadership was “declaring a coup” against the old guard.

"What happened in Bethlehem was a coup against Fat'h weakness. Furthermore, new doors have been knocked such as resistance which was clear in President Abbas' opening speech when he applauded peaceful resistance in Bil'in," he added.

Refugees in Lebanon celebrate Fat'h election results

Published today (updated) 11/08/2009 21:15 Lebanon – Ma’an –

Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon celebrated the completion of Fat'h’s Central Committee elections and their representative Sultan Abu Al-'Aynain’s victory in securing a seat on the governing body.

Cars rallied across Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, especially in the south of the country where the Fat'h secretary-general lives. Celebrators called Abu Al-'Aynain’s success a victory for resistance and a confirmation of the Palestinian right to return for millions of refugees.

Refugees waved Palestinian flags and held up posters of late Palestinian President and one of Fat'h’s founders Yasser Arafat, and current Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Fireworks were launched in the sky, and candies distributed to in a celebration of the new party leadership.

“We have been waiting long for what happened to Fat'h today,” one camp resident said, “Although it came late, it was finally achieved and it marks an important beginning.”

Head of popular committees and Fat'h information office in southern Lebanon Ihsan Al-Jamal issued formal congratulations to Abbas, and said the “decisive changes” brought about by the conference would be important to Fat'h, but also to Arabs and the entire Middle East. He said the elections would enhance Fatah unity based on united nationalistic agenda and help push forward the establishment of independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Al-Jamal applauded what he called an example of the democratic elections for the Central Committee and Revolutionary Council, final results of which have not yet been announced.