GAZA -- The Palestinian Fatah Movement Wednesday rejected holding presidential elections before the cause of Yasser Arafat's illness and death are revealed. A statement said the mainstream movement in the Palestine Liberation Organization will boycott elections to select a successor for Arafat unless the cause of death is released.

Arafat died last week at a French military hospital. Doctors ruled out cancer and poisoning as the cause of his illness.

Fatah called on officials to break the silence and "reveal the details of the Hollywood-style drama which stinks treason and betrayal."

"We want the truth to be displayed in front of the people so that they would know the size of the conspiracy and the catastrophe that befell on us," the statement said.

"There will be no legitimate elections and no legitimacy to any successor as long as the conspiracy of assassinating President Arafat is not uncovered."

Fatah held Israel, notably Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, responsible for the death of Arafat.

Several Palestinian officials accused Israel of having poisoned Arafat.

Copyright 2004 by United Press International