Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said he will call elections if he fails to make progress in reconciliation talks with his Hamas rivals this year.
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His term as head of the Palestinian Authority ends on 9 January.
But analysts say he is unlikely to call the polls, given the strength of Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.
He previously indicated he intended to remain in office a further year - the term of the Hamas-led parliament.
"If the dialogue with Hamas fails, early next year I will call for simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections," Mr Abbas told members of his Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) in the West Bank town of Ramallah.
Hamas has often said it will not recognise any extension to Mr Abbas's term.
It also rejects calls for early parliamentary elections.
The movement won a clear majority in the Palestinian parliament in the election of January 2006.
It seized control of the Gaza Strip last year and has clashed with Mr Abbas's supporters there and in the West Bank.
Mr Abbas was elected for a four-year term in January 2005.
(BBC)
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