By JERUSALEM POST STAFFjib.awards.298.vote(photo credit: )
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said Monday evening that he would allow the parliamentary elections to take place as planned, based on American assurances that east Jerusalem would be allowed to participate in the voting.
"The elections will proceed and God willing take place on time," Abbas told reporters in Gaza City.
In a press conference, Abbas restated his rejection for holding elections if east Jerusalem residents were not allowed to participate, saying that the elections process would be halted if their participation was obstructed.
Abbas said he spoke to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Sunday and was given a message from US President George W. Bush on Monday giving him assurances that Israel would allow the vote in Jerusalem to go ahead.
