Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has issued new orders for his deputy Hussein Al Sheikh to replace him "in the event of a vacancy".
The decree issued by Mr Abbas, 89, provides for Mr Al Sheikh to "temporarily assume the duties of the President for 90 days". There would then be new elections.
Mr Abbas revoked a previous order under which Rawhi Fattouh, the chairman of the Palestinian National Council, would have temporarily held the office, according to official Palestinian media.
The decision appears to bolster Mr Al Sheikh's position after he was named vice president in April, when the role was created. It comes amid international pressure to reform the Palestinian Authority with a view to one day handing it control of Gaza.
Sunday's declaration aims to "protect the Palestinian political system, safeguard our homeland, ensure its security, and preserve its constitutional institutions", Mr Abbas said. It allows for the acting president's term to be extended if elections cannot be arranged.
"The freedom of the individual, the rule of law, and the promotion of values such as equality, democracy, pluralism, and social justice are the basis of the legitimacy of any ruling system that will lead the country in the next phase of our people's history," Mr Abbas said.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) already exercises limited control over the Israeli-occupied West Bank. But Mr Abbas and his government are widely seen as unpopular. Mr Al Sheikh is regarded as having built a good working relationship with Israel during his years of representing the authority.
Mr Al Sheikh recently held talks with the former UK prime minister Tony Blair on possible future arrangements for the governing of Gaza. The US President Donald Trump's peace plan calls for a Palestinian committee to run services "until such time as the PA has completed its reform programme".
There have long been concerns of a dangerous power vacuum in the event of Mr Abbas, who turns 90 next month, becoming incapacitated. Rival factions of his Fatah party could vie for control of Palestinian institutions, and critics say Mr Abbas has dodged the question for fear of unrest.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The specs: 2018 GMC Terrain
Price, base / as tested: Dh94,600 / Dh159,700
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Power: 252hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 353Nm @ 2,500rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.4L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
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Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
The view from The National
The%20specs
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Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
