Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat has denied reports that he will replace current Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas.
In an interview with al-Araby al-Jadeed, Erekat said, "The Israeli occupation is what will switch Abbas if the situation in the Palestinian territories continues the way it is."
Abbas has held on to the title of President since Yassir Arafat died in 2004, and has refused to hold elections since 2006. Recently, though, he has suggested that he will resign his position sometime in the near future.