The victory of Mahmoud Abbas as Palestinian President has been greeted with celebratory gunfire. It was the first opportunity for Palestinians to vote since Yassir Arafat was elected president nine years ago.
The latest figures indicate that 66 percent of eligible voters cast ballots, and that should be enough for Abbas to claim that he has a mandate for action.
Israeli leaders say they are ready to work with the new Palestinian leader, but its not clear if Abbas will be able to persuade Palestinian militants to curb their attacks on Israel, or how easy it will be for him to end the corruption within his own administration. Without movement on either front, most analysts suspect his honeymoon will only last a few months. The election of Abbas, and questions about the long road back to the negotiating table.
Guests:
Khalil Shikaki, director of the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research in Ramallah
Sari Nusseibeh, Palestinian Professor on Leave as President of Al-Quds University
Rashid Khalidi, Director of the Middle East Institute at Columbia University
Daoud Kuttab, Director of the Institute of Modern Media at Al-Quds University.