Mahmoud Abbas is a prominent Palestinian politician who has served as the President of the State of Palestine and the Palestinian National Authority since 2005. He became the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 2004, following the death of Yasser Arafat. Throughout his long career, he has been a central figure in the Fatah movement and a key negotiator in the peace process with Israel. His presidency has focused on seeking international recognition for Palestinian statehood and pursuing a two-state solution through diplomatic means.