Will jailed Fatah leader become its new VP?

The newly elected members of Fatah’s Central Committee failed to appoint a vice president, as controversy surrounds imprisoned leader Marwan Barghouti, who received the highest number of votes at the movement’s internal elections.
An Israeli prison guard (L) escorts jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti (C) to a deliberation at Jerusalem Magistrate's court January 25, 2012. Convicted of murder for his role in attacks on Israelis, Barghouti was jailed for life by Israel in 2004. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW) - RTR2WTJR
An Israeli prison guard (L) escorts jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti (C) to a deliberation at Jerusalem Magistrate's court, Jan. 25, 2012. - REUTERS/Baz Ratner
Ahmad Abu Amer.jpg
Ahmad Abu Amer
@ahmedmajd1

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Fatah's Central Committee will meet later this month to select a vice president from among numerous contenders.

As Fatah's seventh general congress concluded Dec. 4, none of the top vote-getters from the internal elections had been selected for the position. Imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti received the most votes in the Dec. 3 elections. Having scored 936 votes, Barghouti is qualified to serve as vice president, while Jibril Rajoub, a member of Fatah's Revolutionary Council, came in second with 838 votes.

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