RAMALLAH — A leading Palestinian has fled the West Bank amid threats of prosecution by the Palestinian Authority.

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The sources said Dahlan, a former PA security chief, has become the leading Fatah opponent to Abbas. They said Dahlan has warned that the ailing Abbas was incapable of leading either the PA or Fatah amid pressure from Israel and the United States.

At one point, the sources said, Dahlan urged other senior Fatah Central Council members to undermine Abbas. They cited council member and former Palestinian ambassador Nasser Al Qidwa, said to have been encouraged by Dahlan to challenge Abbas for the post of PA chairman.

Over the last two weeks, Dahlan, who has also opposed Prime Minister Salam Fayad, sent his family to neighboring Jordan. Dahlan then left the West Bank for Morocco.

On Nov. 24, the Fatah Revolutionary Council was scheduled to convene in Ramallah to discuss the tensions between Abbas and Dahlan. The council was also preparing to discuss a government reshuffle.

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