RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas promised to continue following the path of the shahid (martyr) at a rally commemorating the late PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) chief Yasser Arafat.

The rally, held at the PA's Mukata compound in Ramallah, marked the fourth anniversary of Arafat's death.

"The Palestinian leadership will continue to follow Yasser Arafat's path until a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital is established," Abbas said.

"The path of the shahids - Arafat, George Habash [founder of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine] and [assassinated Hamas spiritual leader] Sheikh Ahmed Yassin - is the path that we cherish, aimed at upholding the Palestinians' nationalist and sovereign resolutions," he said.

Muslims refer to anyone who gives their life for the cause of Islam (such as suicide bombers) as shahids, which is the highest honor attainable.

Arab Israeli Knesset member Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List - Ta'al) said Arafat should "rise from the grave and lead the Palestinians."

"We miss your kaffiyeh [Arab headdress] - a symbol to all the revolutionaries and freedom seekers worldwide," he said.

Source: YNet news