Abbas extension plan 'unpopular'

If Abbas insists on staying on without a mandate it could erode his support

A poll of Palestinians suggests there little support for any move by Mahmoud Abbas to extend his term in office as president without new elections.

The poll by the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research said almost two-thirds of Palestinians believe Mr Abbas's term should end in January.

Mr Abbas has said his term could be extended by a further year.

He made the suggestion so presidential and parliamentary elections could be held at the same time.

Correspondents said Mr Abbas's support could erode if he stays without an election to renew his mandate.

If elections were held now in Gaza and the West Bank, the PCPSR poll indicated his secular nationalist Fatah party would take 42% of votes while Hamas, the rival militant Islamist organisation which controls Gaza, would win 28%.

The poll also suggests 40% percent of Gazans wish to emigrate, compared with 25% in the West Bank.

Mr Abbas has said that if reconciliation talks with Hamas fail he will call early parliamentary elections next year.

Hamas rejects any extension to Mr Abbas's term, and says he has no right to call early parliamentary elections.