Janette Khuri, a 62-year-old Christian, became the first woman mayor of a major West Bank municipality when she was elected by a majority of her 15 fellow councillors.
Khuri, a member of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), triumphed over the ruling Fatah faction's candidate Ghazi Hanania when the three Hamas members voted for her.
Fatah emerged as the largest party in Ramallah after elections on December 15 but it lost control of three other major municipalities seen as traditional strongholds.
Despite its Islamist roots, Hamas has shown a willingness to strike political deals and its support ensured that the West Bank town of Bethlehem has a Christian mayor.
© 2005 Agence France-Presse
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