Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has issued a decree outlining a plan for possible replacement of him with his deputy, BNR reported.
The measure allows current deputy Hussein al-Sheikh to temporarily take over, the Palestinian news agency reported.
According to the decree, 64-year-old Ash Sheikh will lead the Palestinian Authority for up to 90 days if Abbas is unable to fulfill his duties. Presidential elections must be held within that period. The same rules would apply in the event of a resignation, although Abbas is not currently expected to take such a step, the DPA noted.
Ash-Sheikh is close to Abbas. He was appointed vice president earlier this year after the position was created in April. Abbas, 89, succeeded Palestine Liberation Organization founder Yasser Arafat as president in 2005 after winning the election that year - the last presidential election held in the Palestinian territories.