Yasser Arafat became the first titular president of the State of Palestine in 1989, one year after the Palestinian Declaration of Independence.

In January 2005, the Palestinian Central Council (PCC) asked Abbas to perform the duties of the president of the State of Palestine.

[3] In November 2008, the PCC approved the continuation of Abbas's function as president of the State of Palestine.

From 1994, Arafat assumed the title of President of the Palestinian National Authority, which was consolidated by the 1996 Presidential elections.

[3] On 23 November 2008, the PLO Central Council formalized the function by electing Abbas President of the State of Palestine.