In the wake of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s recent passing, the BBC reports:

The main Palestinian political faction, Fatah, is set to pick Mahmoud Abbas as its candidate to succeed Yasser Arafat in January’s presidential poll.

“We decided… to have… [Mr Abbas] as the candidate for president of the Palestinian Authority,” Social Affairs Minister Intissar al-Wazir said.

The nomination will be put to the Fatah council for approval, she added.

Mr Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, is seen as a moderate and he has frequently negotiated with Israel.

The 69-year-old was named as chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) after Arafat died on 11 November.

Correspondents say the Fatah Revolutionary Council is certain to approve Mr Abbas’ nomination on Thursday given the central committee’s unanimous vote for him. [Continued at BBC News]