It is a symbolic title, as a Palestinian state has not yet been formed. The position has been vacant since Yasser Arafat's death in 2004.

Mr Abbas, who is already president of the Palestinian Authority, is locked in a power struggle with Hamas. He has threatened to call elections if there was no progress in reconciliation talks.

He said he might issue a decree early in 2009 for presidential and parliamentary polls, but gave no date. His term in office ends on 9 January.

The militant group Hamas rejected the move, saying the power to elect the state president rested with the people.