Palestinian leaders who could become candidates to replace President Yasser Arafat Rawhi Fattouh (55)(Parliament Speaker)Would by law become president for a 60-day period if Arafat died but does not rank as an important power broker and would probably act as a figurehead while others make key decisions. Ahmed Qurie (66) (Prime Minister)Longtime ally of Arafat and key negotiator in secret talks with Israelis in Oslo that led to interim peace deals in 1993. Known to be skilled politician but lacks charisma and has little public following. Mahmoud Abbas (69)Arafat’s number two in the PLO and co-author of interim peace deals that gave Palestinians limited self-rule. An outspoken critic of the use of violence during the uprising. Like Qurie, he lacks a popular following. Mohammed Dahlan (43)The former interior minister and security chief in Gaza has no official post but remains a powerful strongman in a territory ridden by factional fighting. Viewed by international mediators as someone who could instil order in Gaza after a planned Israeli pullout. Marwan Barghouthi (45)Serving an Israeli jail sentence on murder charges. Barghouthi is widely regarded as the grassroots political leader of the current intifada. The most popular Palestinian leader after Arafat because of his perceived distance from corruption.
