PA head Mahmoud Abbas announces Rawhi Fattouh as replacement 'if the position becomes vacant'
A close ally of Abbas, Fattouh has been an important member of Fatah, leading the party's parliamentary bloc for decades.
Then interim President of the governing Palestinian Authority Rawhi Fattouh speaks to the media during a press conference November 20, 2004 in Gaza City, Gaza Strip.(photo credit: Ahmad Khateib/Getty Images)Updated: 
