Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas may demand in a Wednesday meeting with lame duck Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that Israel free Marwan Barghouti, who is serving five life terms in prison for involvement in lethal terrorist attacks. Barghouti is considered the most popular figure in the PA and has consistently run far ahead of other in polls.

Kamal Sharafi, an aide to Abbas, told the Bethlehem-based Maan news agency that the demand will be made during Wednesday's scheduled meeting between Abbas and the Prime Minister. It will be the first time that the two have met wince Prime Minister Olmert announced he will step down after Kadima elects a new leader who can run the government.