GAZA, March 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will appoint Fatah chief Farouq Kadoumi to be secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) executive committee, official sources closed to Abbas said Saturday.

    Abbas will also authorize Foreign Minister Nasser al-Qidwa to handle all official visits abroad and to represent the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in all international conferences.

    Under late leader Yasser Arafat, the PNA were represented by various officials in foreign visits and international conferences. The sources added Abbas intended to appoint a spokesman for the PNA, and Deputy Prime Minister Nabil Shaath would be the nominee. Enditem