An opinion poll published yesterday showed an increase in the popularity of President Mahmoud Abbas, who heads the Fatah movement, compared to Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniah. 68% of those polled by the Near East Consulting company expressed confidence in President Abbas while 32% expressed confidence in Haniah.

77% of Palestinians support unconditional dialogue between Hamas and Fatah, with 12% supporting conditional dialogue and 11% opposing any dialogue.

64% expressed support for the two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state living side by side with Israel, while 46% favored one state in which Muslims, Christians and Jews live together.

The poll indicated that 74% of those polled prefer the Fatah strategy for the achievement of Palestinian national goals, as opposed to 26% who prefer the Hamas strategy.