Initial results for Saturday's local elections in the West
Bank showed that the ruling Fatah faction won many municipalities and local
councils, but it was not a landslide victory as its leaders had
expected.
Still, Fatah officials described the results as a "huge
victory," saying it showed their faction continues to enjoy the backing of a
majority of Palestinians.
The officials also said that they consider the
election results as a vote of confidence for Palestinian Authority President
Mahmoud Abbas and his policies.
Hamas, Fatah's main rival, boycotted the
elections and banned the PA from holding the vote in the Gaza
Strip.