Ramallah, West Bank, Nov 23, SPA -- Interim Palestinian leaderMahmoud Abbas told parliament on Tuesday that he wouldfollow in Yasser Arafat's footsteps and demand that Israelrecognize the "right of return" of Palestinian refugees. Abbas spoke a day after a small group of leaders of theruling Fatah movement chose him as its candidate in Jan. 9elections for Palestinian Authority president, despitedemands by Fatah's young guard that a primary be held. The speech marked the first time since Arafat's death Nov.11 that Abbas outlined his views on the conflict withIsrael. Abbas' ideas about a peace deal with Israel have alwaysbeen close to those of Arafat: a Palestinian state in theWest Bank and Gaza Strip, with east Al-Quds as a capital,and Israeli recognition of the "right of return" of somefour million refugees and their descendants. The refugee issue has contributed to the failure ofprevious peace talks. Israel has said it is willing torepatriate a few thousand refugees as a good-will gesture,but that absorbing millions would destroy the Jewishcharacter of the state. At a memorial ceremony for Arafat at the Palestinianparliament, Abbas said he would walk in the footsteps ofthe late Palestinian leader. "We promise you (Arafat) thatour heart will not rest until we achieve the right ofreturn for our people and end the tragic refugee issue,"he said. Fatah rebels, meanwhile, said Tuesday they would challengethe nomination of Abbas as the presidential candidate. Some of the members of the young guard are pushing forMarwan Barghouti, an uprising leader jailed by Israel, asthe movement's candidate, arguing that the popularBarghouti has a better chance to win. Barghouti's wife, Fadwa, said her husband would decideearly next week whether to run as an independent.--SPA1519 Local Time 1219 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/219084