Arafat's 88% vote signals support for peace

MR YASSER Arafat's margin of victory in Saturday's first Palestinian elections was even greater had been expected, indicating widespread support for his decision to make peace with Israel. It drew congratulations from world leaders and divided opinions from Palestinians still scattered across the Middle East.

He yesterday became the Palestinians' first democratically elected leader, beating his only rival for the presidency with 88.1 per cent of the vote, the head of the central elections committee, Mr Abu Mazen, said.

The result had never been in doubt but its scale was a surprise. Mr Arafat, who said he was "very proud of this very important, historical, democratic, election", will head an interim government in the West Bank and Gaza Strip while negotiations with Israel on the final status of these territories take place over the next three years.

"As I used to say, our people are always greater than any of their leadership in the past, in the present and in the future and we hope it [the election] will be one of the most important platforms of our independent Palestinian state," Mr Arafat said.

His 88.1 per cent eclipsed his only rival. Mrs Samiha Khalil, who took only 9.3 per cent, while 2.6 per cent of the votes were spoiled.

The estimated figure for those voting was 70 per cent of the overall electorate, 87 per cent in Gaza and 62 per cent in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt telephoned Mr Arafat to congratulate him, as did King Hussein of Jordan.

Mr Arafat was heading for a sweeping victory in the elections for president and an 88 seat Palestinian legislative council.

Palestinians in Jordan's largest, refugee camp, though unable to vote, praised the man who has come to embody the struggle for a Palestinian state. "Arafat, he is like God," said a refugee from the 1967 Middle East war.

Jordanian newspapers splashed election results across front pages and hailed the first Palestinian general elections.

From Europe, the German Foreign Minister, Mr Klaus Kinkel, said Mr Arafat's victory was a milestone in the Middle East peace process.

Italy's caretaker Prime Minister, Mr Lamberto Dini, on behalf of the EU, said: "It will reinforce the impetus for peace and send a strong message to those opposing the Middle East peace process through violence and terror."

The Tanaiste, Mr Spring, speaking in East Jerusalem, expressed satisfaction.

Among those who secured seats to the Palestine Council were Dr Hanan Ashrawi, the former PLO spokeswoman, Dr Haidar Abdel Shafi, the leading political figure in Gaza city and a critic of Mr Arafat, Mr Ahmad Qurei (Abu Ala), the man who negotiated the Oslo Accords, Dr Saeb Erekat, the former election commissioner, Dr Nabil Shaath, former planning minister and Mr Arafat's spokesman, Mr Marwan Kanafani.

Mr Arafat and the new council will be sworn in after Ramadan the Muslim month of fasting which began yesterday.