A Palestinian takes part in a rally in support of President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah Nov. 9, 2009. Supporters of Abbas turned out here on Sunday to urge him to run in upcoming presidential election in January 2010. (Xinhua/Yang Yuanyuan) Photo Gallery>>>

    RAMALLAH, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian newspaper reported Monday that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is considering quitting if elections are not held as he decreed in January 2010.

    The Ramallah-based al-Ayyam daily quoted undisclosed sources assaying if Abbas resigns, "he will be a caretaker president until new elections are held."

    Abbas said presidential and parliamentary elections must not be postponed, as he called on the Palestinians to hold the elections on Jan. 24, 2010.

    On Thursday, Abbas revealed he was not interested in running in the elections and said he has more procedures to take.

    Abbas' declaration came after peace talks with Israel had failed and Egypt's efforts to reconcile rival Palestinian factions ended in deadlock.

    According to al-Ayyam, the resignation was one of the "more procedures" that Abbas had warned to take.

    Next January, Islamic Hamas movement's term in the parliament would end, so the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Aziz al-Dewaik can not replace Abbas as an interim president until the new elections, the sources said.

    Hamas is the bitter rival of Abbas' Fatah party and the PLC has been disabled since Hamas routed pro-Abbas forces and seized control of Gaza in 2007. Hamas still makes unilateral decisions under the PLC's dome, but Fatah, the second largest bloc in the parliament, does not recognize those decisions.

    Hamas has refused Abbas' call for elections and vowed to prevent them at least in the Gaza Strip. The Islamic movement wants elections to be held after a national reconciliation is reached.

Special Report: Palestine-Israel Conflicts