Ramallah: The Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has approved the nomination of Hussein al-Sheikh as vice president. This decision was made following a proposal by President Mahmoud Abbas, who appointed al-Sheikh, the committee's secretary-general, as his deputy.

According to Anadolu Agency, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that President Abbas's proposal was based on a decision by the Palestinian Central Council during its recent session in Ramallah. Abbas emphasized the importance of a comprehensive national dialogue involving all Palestinian factions to achieve reconciliation and strengthen national unity.

Hussein al-Sheikh expressed his gratitude to President Abbas, sending a letter to acknowledge his nomination. The PLO Executive Committee is set to reconvene next Saturday to choose a new secretary-general.

President Abbas updated the committee on upcoming political initiatives aimed at addressing Israeli actions in the occupied territories. He highlighted the need for urgent humanitarian aid, governance over Gaza, and a complete Israeli withdrawal to facilitate a political process towards an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The resolution passed on Thursday outlined that the vice president should be a committee member, nominated by the chairman and approved by members. During the session, 170 members voted in favor, while one opposed and another abstained.

The Central Council, a permanent body of the Palestinian National Council, convened amid a boycott by major factions such as the Popular Front, the Democratic Front, and the Palestinian National Initiative. These groups protested against a lack of consensus and dialogue.

Hamas criticized the meeting's outcomes, stating that they failed to address national unity and stressed the need for democratic reform of the PLO. The appointment of al-Sheikh occurs amid regional and international calls for political reforms within the Palestinian Authority and the PLO.