Media: Palestinian president orders draft of first national constitution

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has instructed officials to prepare the first draft of a national constitution, signalling a move to formalise the transformation of the Palestinian Authority into a fully fledged state.

Abbas’s special envoy, Mohammad Shtayyeh, told Wafa news agency that the president has given a three-month deadline for the completion of the initial draft. 

“The president has tasked us with finalising the first draft of the Palestinian constitution within three months. We will now move to transform the Palestinian Authority into the State of Palestine,” he said.

Earlier, the Palestinian Authority had said it was prepared to operate the Gaza side of a key crossing for aid between Egypt and Gaza.

"Now we are ready to engage again, and we have notified all parties that we are ready to operate the Rafah crossing," said Shtayyeh.

By Aghakazim Guliyev