BREAKING NEWS

PLO indefinitely extends Abbas' presidential term

PLO indefinitely extends

The Palestine Liberation Organization indefinitely extended Mahmoud Abbas' term as Palestinian Authority president on Wednesday and endorsed his refusal to negotiate with Israel unless it freezes all settlement construction. The decision, which was expected, nonetheless gave an important vote of confidence to the embattled president. Abbas' inability to reconcile with Hamas or wrest concessions from Israel has hurt his popularity among many Palestinians.