The Fatah Revolutionary Council on Thursday endorsed a decision by the movement's central committee to nominate Mahmoud Abbas as its candidate to run in the Palestinian presidential election due on Jan. 9.

Presidential secretary Tayeb Abdul Rahim announced in astatement to the press that the council had voted unanimously toname Abbas as the movement's only candidate.

The 129-member council is the second highest decision-making body within Fatah.

Among the 102 members who were able to attend Thursday's meetingat the presidential head quarters in Ramallah, 100 members voted in favor of Abbas and two abstained.

Source: Xinhua