RAMALLAH -- The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) approved on Saturday the appointment of Hussein al-Sheikh as vice-president of its executive committee and the State of Palestine.

The appointment of al-Sheikh came during a meeting held in the central West Bank city of Ramallah, chaired by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the PLO's Executive Committee said in a press statement.

The statement noted that the PLO's Executive Committee will meet next Saturday to select a new secretary-general from among its members to replace al-Sheikh, who now still holds the position.

According to the statement, during the meeting, Abbas stressed the initiation of a comprehensive national dialogue led by a joint committee appointed by the PLO Executive Committee and the Fatah Central Committee, with all factions to achieve reconciliation and strengthen national unity within the framework of the PLO.

Wasel Abu Yousef, a member of the PLO Executive Committee, told Xinhua that the new position was created following the amendment of Article 13 of the Palestinian Basic Law regarding members of the executive committee.

The PLO Central Council decided on Thursday to create the position of vice-president of its executive committee and the State of Palestine. Al-Sheikh's appointment marks the first time such a position has been established since the PLO's founding.