Barghuti quits race

Barghuti's announcement late Friday headed off a potentially destructive rift in the dominant Fatah movement, leaving Abbas as the top candidate to take the place of Arafat who died just over two weeks ago.

"Members and supporters of Fatah (must) support the movement's candidate, the combattant, brother Mahmud Abbas," the 45-year-old firebrand said in a statement read by minister without portfolio Qaddura Fares.

Speculation had been rife that Barghuti, serving five life sentences for murder, would formally announce his decision to stand from behind bars -- posing a direct challenge to Abbas.

Preparations for the January 9 elections were continuing Saturday amid reports that a Palestinian delegation headed by West Bank security chief Jibril Rajoub was due in Britain next week for "private" talks with senior Israeli officials.

Although talks were branded as unofficial, the two sides would discuss security arrangements for the forthcoming elections and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, the British Daily Telegraph reported.

Among those representing the Israeli side were Sharon's son, Omri, and deputy defence minister Zeev Boim, while the Palestinians would be represented by Qaddura Fares and deputy cabinet member Sufian Abu Zaida, the paper said.