Palestinian president Abbas appoints aide as potential successor

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas appointed Hussein al-Sheikh as the first vice president of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), potentially positioning him as a successor amid international calls for PLO reform. The new role, created during a convention in Ramallah, has received mixed reactions, with some factions opposing it, viewing it as a threat to PLO sovereignty. Analysts suggest this move may be a response to external pressures and an effort to strengthen Palestinian institutions in light of the ongoing conflict and financial challenges facing the Palestinian Authority.