Abbas welcomed by leading gunman in refugee camp visit

[Annus Horribilis]

JENIN REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank - Palestinian presidential candidate Mahmoud Abbas rode on the shoulders of the West Bank’s most famous gunman during a campaign stop, prompting questions of whether Abbas is playing campaign politics or identifying with violent groups.

Zakaria Zubeidi, the local leader of the Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, a violent group with ties to Abbas’ ruling Fatah party, took center stage when Abbas came to visit the battered Jenin refugee camp on Thursday. Assault rifle slung over his shoulder, Zubeidi and other gunmen hoisted Abbas onto their shoulders, and the candidate smiled and waved.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2004/December/middleeast_December825.xml§ion=middleeast

Meet the new boss, same as the old!

[Elise]

1. Lookie: similar article/different source

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=124x83556