Farouk al-Qaddumi passes away

Farouk al-Qaddumi (93), one of the most important founders of the Fatah movement, has passed away in Amman, the capital of Jordan.

In a written statement following al-Qaddumi's death, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated, "We have lost my brother, friend, and comrade who fought for Palestine and worked tirelessly."

Noting that "one of the loyal men who rendered great services to Palestine, its cause, and its people has been lost," Abbas extended his condolences to "the late leader's family, his comrades in the struggle, the members of the movement, and the Palestinian people."

Both the Fatah movement and Hamas also issued messages of condolence following al-Qaddumi's passing.

WHO IS AL-QADDUMI

Al-Qaddumi was born in the West Bank in 1931 and graduated from the American University in Cairo with a degree in economics in 1958.

He became involved in national political activities at a young age and participated in the founding of the Fatah movement alongside former Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Abbas.

A member of the Fatah Central Committee since 1965, al-Qaddumi held various positions within the Fatah movement.

He became a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee in 1969, head of the PLO Political Department in 1973, and head of the PLO Foreign Affairs Department in 1989.