Qurei not to run in key election

Qurei belongs to Fatah's "old guard"

Veteran Palestinian politician Ahmed Qurei says he will not stand in next month's elections despite resigning as prime minister to be a candidate.

Mr Qurei said the timing was not right to hold the parliamentary elections - especially with Israel threatening not to allow a vote in Jerusalem.

He denied the decision was linked to infighting within the governing party.

The Fatah party has been in disarray since jailed West Bank intifada leader Marwan Barghouti broke away.

Barghouti presented an alternative list of candidates for the 25 January poll under a new party named al-Mustaqbal (the Future).

Fatah's leader - Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas - is seeking to close the split and has put Barghouti's name at the top of the party list, with Mr Qurei's following in second place.

'Forced' to run

The prime minister resigned on 14 December as required by law for cabinet members who run for parliament.

"I was not convinced about running for the elections. I was forced to run by the Fatah Central Committee, so I sent a letter saying I am no longer a candidate," Mr Qurei told reporters at a news conference.

"I will continue with my work as prime minister."

PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS Scheduled for 25 January; originally set for July 2005 132 members elected to Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Fatah and Hamas are main contenders First time Hamas participates in parliamentary poll Israel says Hamas cannot take part under a 1995 agreement Last parliamentary elections held in 1996 Q&A: Palestinian elections

He said East Jerusalem was the main issue.

"We must not go to elections without Jerusalem," said the veteran politician.

The 25 January poll will be only the second since the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in 1995.

Fatah is expected to face a strong challenge in January's poll from the militant Islamist group, Hamas.

Hamas boycotted the first parliament. But it won a sweeping victory in municipal elections in the West Bank early this month.

Israel says it will not allow a vote in Jerusalem because of concerns that Hamas might gain power.

The Palestinian Authority has condemned the decision and said it would cancel the poll if voting in Jerusalem was barred.

Hamas and 10 other factions have called on Mr Abbas not to delay the election.