Israel Matzav

Abu Mazen accuses Dahlan of killing Arafat

Abbas lashed out at Dahlan, who is regularly cited as a possible future president, during a Fatah meeting earlier this week, with his comments later released to the press.

Abbas said an investigation was carried out into Dahlan, for years Fatah's strongman in the Gaza Strip, during the rule of former president Arafat. "It was found out that six people were killed by orders from Dahlan," the president said.

He added that Arafat had decided not to release the report. The iconic Palestinian leader died in mysterious circumstances in 2004 and many of his supporters are certain he was poisoned.

Abbas said he did not have any proof that Dahlan was involved, but he read out several statements in which his 52-year-old rival had allegedly criticized Arafat.

"Who killed Yasser Arafat? This is not evidence, but indications that deserve consideration," said Abbas, who has faced criticism from many Palestinians for pursuing apparently gridlocked peace negotiations with Israel.

An angry Dahlan hit back on his Facebook page, saying Abbas's speech was full of "lies ... stupidity and ignorance of the Palestinian reality." He added that he would also "unveil the lies" surrounding the death of Arafat, calling it "the most important and most dangerous issue of our modern history."

Labels: Abu Mazen, Fatah, Mohamed Dahlan, Yasser Arafat

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:08 PM