Seven Palestinian candidates have launched their presidential campaigns. Their platforms are similar. All pledge to work to end the Israeli occupation, to bring about Palestinian statehood, and fight corruption.

Yasser Arafat's image and spirit hovered in the opening rounds of fight to succeed him on Saturday.

Palestinian Liberation Organization chief Mahmoud Abbas made his first campaign speech in Ramallah, vowing to keep to Arafat's stand that Palestinians must have a state that includes all of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, the areas captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war.

Palestinian Liberation Organization Chief Mahmoud Abbas said, "Many days have passed and we are heading towards the 40th anniversary of our revolution. Unfortunately our leader, the man who launched the revolution, the man who dedicated his life to the revolution, the man who made the revolution and the Palestinian dream his first priority, is not with us at this moment."

And Abbas's nearest rival, Mustafa Barghouthi, an advocate of non-violent struggle, went further. He put on the black-and-white scarf that Arafat made into a symbol of the Palestinian struggle when he visited the grave in Ramallah.

Presidential Candidate Mustafa Barghouthi said, "We are starting today our campaign for free democratic elections and for winning the presidential race with paying respect to President Arafat who resembles the symbol of the Palestinian people and who has struggled all his life for the freedom of the Palestinian people. "

Abbas is considered the most favorite to win the election now that his chief rival, jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, has quit the race and put his support behind him. Palestinian observers say Abbas is also backed by Arafat supporters.