Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday appointed Hussein Al-Sheikh as secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO)’s Executive Committee, succeeding the late Palestinian leader Saeb Erekat.
Al-Sheikh has previously served as minister of civil affairs in the Palestinian Authority and is responsible for contacts between the Palestinian Authority and Israel.
He is a member of the Fatah Central Committee and a senior adviser to Abbas.
Israel’s Ynet News revealed Al-Sheikh’s appointment hours before the official Palestinian announcement.
Along with the intelligence chief, Majed Faraj, Al-Sheikh attended most of Abbas’ meetings with Israeli officials last year.
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