Palestinian officials say the dominant Palestinian faction, Fatah, has named Mahmoud Abbas as its candidate to succeed the late Yasser Arafat in the election for President of the Palestinian Authority.
Mr Abbas, who is also known as Abu Mazen, is currently the President of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation and is a former Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority.
Earlier, the outgoing US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, who is visiting the Middle East, said he is confident that January's planned Palestinian elections to choose Mr Arafat's successor will proceed smoothly.
Speaking in Jericho after meeting Palestinian leaders, Mr Powell said he was pleased with the co-operation promised by Israel to allow the Palestinians freedom of movement and access to vote freely.
He also said he was encouraged by the leadership shown by the Palestinians since Mr Arafat's death.
Mr Powell called for an end to violence and urged Israel and the Palestinians to facilitate the elections.
Arafat medical records released
Mr Arafat died in a French military hospital earlier this month.
His French medical records were released to his nephew this morning.
The records show there were no traces of any known poisons in the body of Mr Arafat when he died.
