The split between Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and Mr Yasser Arafat, which threatens to wreck Mideast peace hopes, widened tonight.
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Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and his Israeli counterpart Ariel Sharon
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Mr Abbas threatened to quit as premier and resigned from a key body of the mainstream Fatah movement, reflecting the division over negotiations with Israel.
An official said Mr Abbas sent a letter to Mr Arafat warning he would step down as premier unless he gets clear instructions from Fatah over how to handle contacts with Israel.
Mr Hakam Balaawi, a Fatah official, said Mr Abbas stepped down from the Fatah Central Committee. Fatah, headed by Mr Arafat has been in turmoil over declaration of a unilateral ceasefire since last month.
Mr Abbas called off talks tomorrow with his Israeli counterpart Mr Ariel Sharon and offered to quit after he was denounced by fellow members of the Fatah Central Committee - the backbone of the Palestinian Authority.
The Fatah political movement is led by Mr Arafat, and observers say Mr Abbas is constantly battling for credibility.
His standing with the Palestinian people has not been helped by being called a "partner for peace" by Israel and United States, whereas Mr Arafat has long been associated with the armed resistance to Israel.
A meeting last night reportedly descended into a shouting match, after which Mr Abbas sent two letters to Mr Arafat - one of them offering his resignation.
Meanwhile, leaders of the violent Islamic Jihad group today distanced themselves from a faxed statement claiming responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed a 65-year-old Israeli woman near the West Bank last night.
The statement threatened more violence if Israel does not agree to a mass release of Palestinian prisoners: "Release the prisoners or the consequences will be grave," it warned.
PA/AP