Omar Barghouti (born 1964) is an independent Palestinian political analyst.

Palestinian analysts predicted that, if called to a vote now, legislators would reject Mr. Abbas's government.

But with his calm, businesslike manner, as a Palestinian analyst said, "He is the man who has the keys in his hands when things get stuck."

"The people are pragmatic and they'll accept a bird in the hand," said Ghassan Khatib, a Palestinian political analyst.

Palestinian analysts believe that he remains vulnerable - as long as Israel helps those trying to ease him from power.

In Gaza, a Hamas-led government could emerge, and neither one will recognize the other, Palestinian analysts say.

While officials tried to sound upbeat, some Palestinian analysts and reformers expressed consternation.

What they lack, in the view of Palestinian analysts, is political legitimacy to move against militants or even criminals.

But these problems seemed unlikely to evolve into a threat to his leadership, Palestinian analysts said.

Palestinian analysts took note of the result because it was the first student election held during the uprising.