YONI BEN MENACHEM -- Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, now 89 years old, is taking steps to ensure an orderly transfer of power in anticipation of a scenario where he may be unable to fulfill his duties due to health issues or other incapacitation.
On November 27, Abbas issued a presidential decree appointing Ruhi Fatouh, the chairman of the Palestinian National Council (PNC), as interim PA Chairman in such a scenario.
This arrangement mirrors the precedent set after the death of former PA Chairman Yasser Arafat in 2004 when Fatouh temporarily assumed the role until elections were held.
According to the new decree, Fatouh would serve as interim chairman for three months, pending elections.
