Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' mandate has been extended indefinitely until elections can be held. The decision was made at a meeting of the Palestine Liberation Organisation in Ramallah in the West Bank.

The president's term in office was due to expire on 25 January, but presidential and legislative elections were cancelled due to differences between rival factions Fatah - Mr Abbas' movement - and Hamas, which controls the Gaza strip. Hamas says it will boycott any elections and calls President Abbas' re-appointment unconstitutional. PLO officials say they are acting to prevent a political vacuum.

The PLO council has also decided to extend the term of the Palestinian Legislative Council -a dysfunctional parliament in which Hamas won a majority in 2006 elections.

Egypt, acting as broker in the Fatah-Hamas conflict, has proposed holding elections at the end of June during mediation talks. President Abbas has said he will not run again for election because of frustrations with the stalled peace process. Yesterday, the Authority president rejected any resumption of peace talks with Israel until it fully halts settlement building in the West Bank.

Palestinian Authority President Abbas by ANP/EPA