Palestinian president Abbas appoints aide as first-ever PLO vice president

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas appointed a close aide as the first ever vice president of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on Saturday, according to a member of the organisation's executive committee.

"Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas appointed Hussein al-Sheikh as a deputy (vice president) of the PLO leadership," Wasel Abu Yousef said, in a move that positions Sheikh as a potential successor to veteran leader Abbas.

Abbas, 89, created the vice presidency position during a convention held in Ramallah this week

It follows years of international pressure to reform the PLO and comes as Arab and Western powers envision an expanded role for Abbas's Palestinian Authority (PA) in the post-war governance of the Gaza Strip.

Founded in 1964, the PLO is empowered to negotiate and sign international treaties on behalf of the Palestinian people, while the PA is responsible for governance in parts of the Palestinian territories.

Reporting by AFP