Fatah nominates Abbas as presidential candidate

Ramallah: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party has nominated him as presidential candidate, a senior Fatah official said on Saturday.

"Fatah is ready to run in the presidential elections and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas is the movement's candidate," said Palestinian peace negotiator Ahmed Qurei.

Abbas's term end on January 25, 2009. Hamas has said it will not support Abbas if he runs for re-election.

Abbas said earlier this week that he was in favour of early parliamentary and presidential elections, but did not name a date.