Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed his longtime aide, Hussein al-Sheikh, as vice president of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), a move widely seen as positioning al-Sheikh as Abbas’s potential successor.

The appointment was announced during the 32nd session of the Palestinian Central Council in Ramallah, where Abbas emphasized the need for a “comprehensive national dialogue” to achieve reconciliation among Palestinian factions and reinforce national unity.

Al-Sheikh, 64, is a veteran leader of Abbas’s Fatah movement and has been closely involved in security coordination with Israel. His new role as PLO deputy places him in a prominent position within the Palestinian leadership structure.

The creation of the vice presidency and al-Sheikh’s appointment come amid ongoing discussions about the future governance of the Gaza Strip and efforts to revitalize the Palestinian political system. Analysts suggest that these developments are part of broader preparations for a leadership transition.

Source: Al Jazeera