Bethlehem, West Bank - Delegates at the convention of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party approved the organization's political platform Sunday, including a clause reserving the right of resistance against the Israeli occupation.

The gathering in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, was also expected Sunday to vote for a new central committee and a new revolutionary council, although it was possible the ballot would be delayed until Monday.

The clause on resistance was passed Saturday night by an overwhelming majority of the 2,500 delegates to the convention.

"Although we cling to making a just peace, and keep seeking to achieve it, we will not drop any of our other choices. We believe that resistance, by all possible means, is the occupied nation's legal right to confront their occupiers," the clause said.

The convention also re-elected Abbas as Fatah head Saturday, in a show-of-hands vote.

The convention, Fatah's first in 20 years, and the first to be held in the Palestinian territories, kicked off on Tuesday.(dpa)