Palestinians walk past graffiti depicting jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti on a section of the controversial Israeli barrier near the Qalandiya checkpoint outside the West Bank city of Ramallah May 25, 2011. Palestinians and Israelis alike saw little prospect of a fresh start to Middle East peace talks on Wednesday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's keynote speech to Congress. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS) 

A member of the Palestinian security forces holds a placard depicting Marwan Barghouthi outside the Fatah congress in the West Bank town of Bethlehem August 11, 2009. Barghouthi, who is serving life in an Israeli jail on charges of organising the killing of Jews, was elected to a top post in Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah group on Tuesday, initial results showed. REUTERS/Nayef Hashlamoun (WEST BANK POLITICS ELECTIONS) 

A member of the Palestinian security forces walks past a banner depicting Marwan Barghouthi outside the Fatah congress in the West Bank town of Bethlehem August 11, 2009. Barghouthi, who is serving life in an Israeli jail on charges of organising the killing of Jews, was elected to a top post in Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah group on Tuesday, initial results showed. REUTERS/Nayef Hashlamoun (WEST BANK POLITICS ELECTIONS) 

A member of the Palestinian security forces stands guard near a banner depicting Marwan Barghouthi outside the Fatah congress in the West Bank town of Bethlehem August 11, 2009. Barghouthi, who is serving life in an Israeli jail on charges of organising the killing of Jews, was elected to a top post in Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah group on Tuesday, initial results showed. REUTERS/Nayef Hashlamoun (WEST BANK POLITICS ELECTIONS) 

Marwan Barghouthi, a leader of the Palestinian uprising, raises his handcuffed hands as he leaves Tel Aviv District Court in this September 29, 2003 file photo. Barghouthi, serving a life sentence in an Israeli jail on charges of organising the killing of Israelis, charges which he denies, was elected to a leading post in President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction, initial results showed on Tuesday. REUTERS/Nir Elias/Files (ISRAEL POLITICS CONFLICT ELECTIONS) 

A Palestinian woman stands in front of pictures depicting Marwan Barghouthi, the popular Fatah leader currently imprisoned by Israel, during a protest in Gaza City calling for the release of Palestinians prisoners held in Israeli jails March 16, 2009. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made a last-ditch effort on Monday to win the release of a captured Israeli soldier before he leaves office, giving envoys more time to make a deal with Hamas through Egyptian mediators. Hamas has demanded the release of some 450 prisoners, including some convicted of attacks that killed Israelis, a prospect opponents of such an exchange have said would only encourage the group to try to seize more soldiers. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (GAZA POLITICS CONFLICT IMAGE OF THE DAY TOP PICTURE) 

Palestinians take part in a protest in Gaza City calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails February 16, 2009. Israel could release Palestinian uprising leader Marwan Barghouthi to bolster President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction before any prisoner swap with Hamas, an Israeli political source said on Sunday. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (GAZA) 

A Palestinian boy covers his face with a picture of Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader, during a protest to mark Palestinian Prisoners Day in Rafah refugee camp in the southern Gaza strip April 17, 2007. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA) 

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh (R) and a girl hold a picture of Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader, during a protest to mark Palestinian Prisoners Day in Gaza April 17, 2007. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA) 

Palestinian women hold pictures of jailed relatives during a protest marking "Palestinian Prisoners Day" in the West Bank town of Nablus April 17, 2007. The women were calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday that Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader, is on a list of prisoners the Hamas movement demands Israel release in exchange for a captive soldier. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini (WEST BANK) 

Palestinian women hold pictures of jailed relatives during a protest marking "Palestinian Prisoners Day" in the West Bank town of Nablus April 17, 2007. The women were calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday that Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader, is on a list of prisoners the Hamas movement demands Israel release in exchange for a captive soldier. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini (WEST BANK) 

Palestinian women hold pictures of jailed relatives during a protest marking "Palestinian Prisoners Day" in the West Bank town of Nablus April 17, 2007. The women were calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday that Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader, is on a list of prisoners the Hamas movement demands Israel release in exchange for a captive soldier. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini (WEST BANK) 

Palestinians hold candles and pictures of jailed relatives during a protest in Jerusalem, late April 16, 2007. The protesters were calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday that Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader, is on a list of prisoners the Hamas movement demands Israel release in exchange for a captive soldier. Picture taken April 16, 2007. REUTERS/Mahfouz Abu Turk (JERUSALEM) 

A Palestinian child stands in front of a picture of a jailed relative during a protest in Jerusalem, late April 16, 2007. The protesters were calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday that Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader, is on a list of prisoners the Hamas movement demands Israel release in exchange for a captive soldier. Picture taken April 16, 2007. REUTERS/Mahfouz Abu Turk (JERUSALEM) 

Palestinians hold pictures of jailed relatives during a protest marking "Palestinian Prisoners Day" in Israeli jails in the West Bank town of Ramallah April 17, 2007. The protesters were calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday that Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader, is on a list of prisoners the Hamas movement demands Israel release in exchange for a captive soldier. REUTERS/Loay Abu Haykel (WEST BANK) 

Palestinian women hold pictures of jailed relatives during a protest marking "Palestinian Prisoners Day" in the West Bank town of Ramallah April 17, 2007. The protesters were calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday that Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader, is on a list of prisoners the Hamas movement demands Israel release in exchange for a captive soldier. REUTERS/Oleg Popov (WEST BANK) 

Palestinian women hold pictures of jailed relatives during a protest marking "Palestinian Prisoners Day" in the West Bank town of Ramallah April 17, 2007. The protesters were calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday that Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader, is on a list of prisoners the Hamas movement demands Israel release in exchange for a captive soldier. REUTERS/Oleg Popov (WEST BANK) 

A Palestinian man holds a picture of his jailed son during a protest marking "Palestinian Prisoners Day" in the West Bank town of Ramallah April 17, 2007. The protesters were calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday that Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader, is on a list of prisoners the Hamas movement demands Israel release in exchange for a captive soldier. REUTERS/Oleg Popov (WEST BANK) 

Palestinian women hold pictures of jailed relatives during a protest marking "Palestinian Prisoners Day" in the West Bank town of Ramallah April 17, 2007. The women were calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday that Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader, is on a list of prisoners the Hamas movement demands Israel release in exchange for a captive soldier. REUTERS/Oleg Popov (WEST BANK) 

A Palestinian girl holds a candle during a protest in Gaza April 16, 2007, calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday that Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader, is on a list of prisoners the Hamas movement demands Israel release in exchange for a captive soldier. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA) 

A Palestinian girl holds a candle during a protest in Gaza April 16, 2007, calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday that Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader, is on a list of prisoners the Hamas movement demands Israel release in exchange for a captive soldier. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA) 

A Palestinian girl holds a candle during a protest in Gaza April 16, 2007, calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday that Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader, is on a list of prisoners the Hamas movement demands Israel release in exchange for a captive soldier. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA) 

Palestinian women shout slogans while holding pictures of jailed relatives during a protest in the West Bank town of Tulkarm April 16, 2007, calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday that Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader, is on a list of prisoners the Hamas movement demands Israel release in exchange for a captive soldier. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini (WEST BANK) 

Palestinian women hold pictures of jailed relatives during a protest in the West Bank town of Tulkarm April 16, 2007 calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday that Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader, is on a list of prisoners the Hamas movement demands Israel release in exchange for a captive soldier. Freedom for prisoners in Israeli jails -- especially those serving long sentences -- is a highly emotive issue for Palestinians. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini (WEST BANK) 

Palestinian women shout slogans while holding pictures of jailed relatives during a protest in the West Bank town of Tulkarm April 16, 2007 calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday that Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader, is on a list of prisoners the Hamas movement demands Israel release in exchange for a captive soldier. Freedom for prisoners in Israeli jails -- especially those serving long sentences -- is a highly emotive issue for Palestinians. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini (WEST BANK) 

Palestinians hold a poster of Marwan Barghouthi during a protest calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, in Gaza April 16, 2007. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Monday that Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader, is on a list of prisoners the Hamas movement demands Israel release in exchange for a captive soldier. His comments contradicted those of Deputy Prime Minister Azzam al-Ahmad of secular Fatah, who said that Barghouthi, a Fatah member seen as a possible successor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, had been left off the roster. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA) 

Palestinian Fatah militants attend a Fatah rally in Gaza April 10, 2007. Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader jailed by Israel, is included on a list of prisoners that Hamas wants freed in exchange for a captive Israeli soldier, a Palestinian official said on Monday. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA) 

Palestinian Fatah militants attend a Fatah rally in Gaza April 10, 2007. Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader jailed by Israel, is included on a list of prisoners that Hamas wants freed in exchange for a captive Israeli soldier, a Palestinian official said on Monday. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA) 

A Palestinian Fatah militant attends a Fatah rally in Gaza April 10, 2007. Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader jailed by Israel, is included on a list of prisoners that Hamas wants freed in exchange for a captive Israeli soldier, a Palestinian official said on Monday. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA) 

A Palestinian Fatah militant attends a Fatah rally in Gaza April 10, 2007. Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader jailed by Israel, is included on a list of prisoners that Hamas wants freed in exchange for a captive Israeli soldier, a Palestinian official said on Monday. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA) 

Palestinian Fatah militants stand near a poster of Marwan Barghouthi, a charismatic member of the formerly dominant Fatah faction, in Gaza April 10, 2007. Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader jailed by Israel, is included on a list of prisoners that Hamas wants freed in exchange for a captive Israeli soldier, a Palestinian official said on Monday. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA) 

A Palestinian Fatah militant stands next to a poster of Marwan Barghouthi, a charismatic member of the formerly dominant Fatah faction, in Gaza April 10, 2007. Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader jailed by Israel, is included on a list of prisoners that Hamas wants freed in exchange for a captive Israeli soldier, a Palestinian official said on Monday. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA) 

Qassam Barghouthi (front R), son of Palestinian uprising Fatah leader Marwan Barghouthi, arrives at the Kalandia checkpoint near the West Bank City of Ramallah March 23, 2007, after being released on bail from an Israeli prison. Qassam, a student, was arrested in late 2003 after crossing from Jordan into the occupied West Bank. Israeli security officials accused him of complicity in Palestinian militant attacks, a charge his lawyer denied. REUTERS/Loay Abu Haykel (WEST BANK) 

Qassam Barghouthi (R), son of Palestinian uprising Fatah leader Marwan Barghouthi, hugs his mother as he arrives at the Kalandia checkpoint near the West Bank City of Ramallah March 23, 2007, after being released on bail from an Israeli prison. Qassam, a student, was arrested in late 2003 after crossing from Jordan into the occupied West Bank. Israeli security officials accused him of complicity in Palestinian militant attacks, a charge his lawyer denied. REUTERS/Loay Abu Haykel (WEST BANK) 

Jibril Rajoub, former Palestinian security chief, watches a television interview of jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouthi in the West Bank city of Hebron January 22,2006. Hamas Islamic militants put up their first candidates in Palestinian parliamentary elections set for Wednesday and look certain to win a strong voice that could keep peacemaking frozen. Even if the group that is officially committed to destroying Israel does not beat President Mahmoud Abbas's ruling Fatah movement, it is expected to win a strong voice in parliament and possibly a place in government. REUTERS/Loay Abu Haykel 

Palestinian militants from the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades hold up their weapons as they stand in front of a campaign poster depicting the jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouthi during a rally in support of Fatah parliamentary candidates in the West Bank city of Nablus January 18, 2006. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement and the rival militant group Hamas agreed on Wednesday not to bring weapons to polling stations in a bid to avoid violence when Palestinians vote next week. REUTERS/Eliana Aponte 

Palestinian militants from the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades hold weapons as they stand in front of a campaign poster depicting the jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouthi during a rally in support of Fatah parliamentary candidates in the West Bank city of Nablus January 18, 2006. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement and the rival militant group Hamas agreed on Wednesday not to bring weapons to polling stations in a bid to avoid violence when Palestinians vote next week. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini 

Mohammed Dahlan, a Palestinian official, addresses the media as he sits in front of a picture of jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouthi during a news conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah December 28, 2005. A breakaway faction of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction formally announced on Wednesday that it would reunite for a January 25 parliamentary election. Dahlan, one of the leaders of the faction, made the announcement at a news conference shortly before Abbas was expected to submit a new united list of candidates for the election. REUTERS/Loay Abu Haykel 

Sufian Abu Zaida, Palestinian minister of prisoner affairs, speaks to the press near Hasharon prison after meeting Fatah's jailed leader Marwan Barghouti, close to Tel Aviv December 15, 2005. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas scrambled on Thursday to heal a split in his ruling Fatah party after young dissidents dealt him a serious blow less than six weeks before parliamentary elections. The rift in Fatah's ranks, which could boost the militant group Hamas in its electoral challenge to Abbas, came as Israel launched a new round of Gaza air strikes after a suicide bombing in the Jewish state last week. Defying Abbas, a younger generation of Fatah leaders led by Barghouthi announced on Wednesday night they were running for parliament on a competing ticket, triggering one of the gravest crises in Fatah's 40-year history. REUTERS/Gil Cohen Magen 

Jamal Muheisen, a Palestinian election official, speaks during a conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah November 27, 2005. Initial results from the first primary election held by Fatah, the largest Palestinian faction, showed that jailed Palestinian Marwan Barghouthi had received over 85 percent of votes in the Ramallah area of the West Bank, election official Jamal Muheisen said on Saturday. REUTERS/Loay Abu Haykel 

A campaign worker arranges posters showing jailed Palestinian Marwan Barghouthi in the West Bank city of Ramallah November 26, 2005. Barghouthi was emerging as one of the most popular candidates in a vote called to choose people to run for Fatah in Palestinian elections in January, an official said on Friday. REUTERS/Loay Abu Haykel 

A masked Palestinian gunman stands in front a picture jailed Palestinian uprising leader Barghouthi in Gaza Strip. A masked Palestinian gunman from the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades stands in front a picture of the jailed Palestinian uprising leader Marwan Barghouthi during a rally, calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners in the Nuseirat refugee camp, Gaza Strip, March 5, 2005. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gestures during a meeting of the Fatah Central Committee in the West Bank city of Ramallah, February 16,2005. Jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouthi said he expected Palestinians to keep waging an uprising in the West Bank despite President Abbas's pledge to end all violence against Israelis. REUTERS/Loay Abu Haykel OP/GB 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas leaves a meeting of the Fatah Central Committe in the West Bank city of Ramallah, February 16, 2005. Jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouthi said he expected Palestinians to keep waging an uprising in the West Bank despite President Mahmoud Abbas's pledge to end all violence against Israelis. REUTERS/Loay Abu Haykel OP/MA 

Fadwa Barghouthi, wife of jailed Palestinian uprising leader and former presidential candidate Marwan Barghouthi, casts her ballot in Ramallah. Fadwa Barghouthi, wife of jailed Palestinian uprising leader and former presidential candidate Marwan Barghouthi, casts her ballot in the West Bank city of Ramallah January 9, 2005. Palestinians voted on Sunday for a successor to Yasser Arafat and looked likely to elect Mahmoud Abbas, a pragmatist who has promised to revive a peace process with Israel after years of bloodshed. REUTERS/Ammar Awad 

Wife of jailed Palestinian uprising leader Marwan Barghouti attends a press conference as his presidential campaign withdrawal is announced in Ramallah. Fadwa Bargouthi, wife of jailed Palestinian uprising leader Marwan Barghouti, attends a press conference as his presidential campaign withdrawal is announced in Ramallah, December 12, 2004. Jailed uprising leader Barghouthi on Sunday quit the race to replace late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, ensuring a smooth election and making the victory of a veteran peacemaker almost certain. REUTERS/Loay Abu Haykel 

Poster of jailed Palestinian uprising leader Marwan Barghouti looms over his wife as his presidential campaign withdrawl is announced in Ramallah. A poster of jailed Palestinian uprising leader Marwan Barghouti looms over his wife Fadwa and campaign chief Ahmed Ghneim (R) as they announce his withdrawal from the Palestinian presidential election during a press conference in Ramallah, December 12, 2004. Jailed uprising leader Barghouthi on Sunday quit the race to replace late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, ensuring a smooth election and making the victory of a veteran peacemaker almost certain. REUTERS/Loay Abu Haykel 

A worker hangs a poster of jailed Palestinian presidential candidate Marwan Barghouthi in Ramallah December 12, 2004. Israel agreed on Sunday to free up to 200 Palestinian prisoners to show goodwill after Egypt freed a convicted Israeli spy ahead of elections for Yasser Arafat's successor, officials said. Unlikely to be among those released was uprising leader Marwan Barghouthi, who is jailed for plotting to kill Israelis. Barghouthi is the main rival to Abbas in the Jan. 9 elections, but his presidential bid is still far from certain. REUTERS/Loay Abu Haykel CLH/WS 

A Palestinian boy holds an election poster of jailed presidential candidate Marwan Barghouthi during a rally for the Fatah movement in Rojeeb village near the West Bank city of Nablus, December 10, 2004. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini CLH/ 

A Palestinian artist paints pictures of late the President Yasser Arafat and PLO leader Mahmoud Abbas in Gaza. A Palestinian artist paints pictures of late the President Yasser Arafat (R) and Palestine Liberation Organisation leader Mahmoud Abbas in Gaza December 10, 2004. Frontrunners for the Palestinian presidency are Fatah candidate Mahmoud Abbas, a former prime minister seen as a moderate, and Marwan Barghouthi, a grassroots leader of a 4-year-old uprising who has been jailed by Israel. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem 

A Palestinian artist paints a picture of Palestine Liberation Organisation leader Mahmoud Abbas in Gaza December 10,2004. Frontrunners for the Palestinian presidency are Fatah candidate Mahmoud Abbas, a former prime minister seen as a moderate, and Marwan Barghouthi, a grassroots leader of a 4-year-old uprising who has been jailed by Israel. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem SJS/WS 

A Palestinian artist man paints a picture of Palestine Liberation Organisation leader Mahmoud Abbas in Gaza December 10, 2004. Frontrunners for the Palestinian presidency are Fatah candidate Mahmoud Abbas, a former prime minister seen as a moderate, and Marwan Barghouthi, a grassroots leader of a 4-year-old uprising who has been jailed by Israel. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem 

A Palestinian girl passes an artists as he paints a picture of Palestine Liberation Organisation leader Mahmoud Abbas in Gaza December 10, 2004. Frontrunners for the Palestinian presidency are Fatah candidate Mahmoud Abbas, a former prime minister seen as a moderate, and Marwan Barghouthi, a grassroots leader of a 4-year-old uprising who has been jailed by Israel. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem 

A Palestinian girl passes the concrete wall, part of Israels controversial security barrier in East Jerusalem. A Palestinian girl passes the concrete wall, part of Israel's controversial security barrier in East Jerusalem December 8, 2004. Jailed leader Marwan Barghouthi will quit the Palestinian presidential race if his political demands are met by his main election rival, former prime minister Mahmoud Abbas, a Fatah official says. REUTERS/Mahfouz Abu Turk 

A Palestinian woman hold a poster of jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouthi and pictures of her relative jailed in an Israeli prisons during a rally in Hebron. A Palestinian woman holds a poster of jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouthi and pictures of her relative jailed in an Israeli prisons during a rally in the West Bank city of Hebron, December 4, 2004. Fatah's old guard rallied around its choice for Palestinian president on Thursday after jailed popular leader Marwan Barghouthi defiantly turned the election into a real race with a last-minute entry. REUTERS/Nayef Hashlamoun 

A Palestinian woman stands in front of a poster of jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouthi during a protest in Hebron. A Palestinian woman stands in front of a poster of jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouthi during a protest in the West Bank city of Hebron, December 4, 2004. Fatah's old guard rallied around its choice for Palestinian president on Thursday after jailed popular leader Marwan Barghouthi defiantly turned the election into a real race with a last-minute entry. REUTERS/Nayef Hashlamoun 

A Palestinian artist paints a large poster of jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouthi in the street of Gaza city December 3, 2004. Marwan Barghouthi, 45, a popular uprising leader jailed by Israel, faced mounting criticism at home and abroad for his decision to run in a Jan. 9 presidential election to choose a successor to Yasser Arafat. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem SJS/WS 

Palestine Liberation Organisation chairman Mahmoud Abbas (R) is greeted by the Imman of the mosque Sheikh Jamel abu-Hanoud attends Friday prayers inside the mosque in Gaza December 3, 2004. Fatah's old guard rallies around Mahmoud Abbas, its choice for Palestinian president, after jailed popular leader Marwan Barghouthi defiantly turns election into real race with last-minute entry. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem SJS/WS 

Palestinian street vendor sells birds in Jerusalem's Old City December 2, 2004. [Fatah's old guard rallies around Mahmoud Abbas, its choice for Palestinian president, after jailed popular leader Marwan Barghouthi defiantly turns election into real race with last-minute entry.] 

Palestinian supporter of jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouthi cleans a poster of him in the West Bank city of Ramallah. A Palestinian supporter of jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouthi cleans a poster of him in the West Bank city of Ramallah December 2, 2004. Popular grass-roots leader Barghouthi, 45, announced he would run in the January 9 presidential election to replace the late Yasser Arafat, challenging front-runner Mahmoud Abbas, the candidate of the dominant Fatah faction in the Palestine Liberation Organisation. REUTERS/Ammar Awad