Palestinians dedicate world's largest dress to memory of Arafatt

Palestinian residents of Hebron displayed on Friday what they claimed was the world's largest dress, which the West Bank city's governor dedicated to the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported.

Hussein al-Araj, the governor of Hebron, described the day as "one to remember," Ma'an reported, after Palestinians commemorated the fifth anniversary of Arafat's death this week.

The Palestinians reportedly seek approval from the Guinness Book of World Records for the gown as the world's largest embroidered dress.

Khalid Oseily, the city's mayor, was quoted as saying the dress was a symbol of the steadfastness of Palestinian women, and their struggle for the freedom of their country.

The mayor also took the opportunity to ask Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to reconsider his decision to not run in the upcoming presidential elections, according to the news agency.

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad opened the celebration, which he said was a tribute to Palestinian cultural production and values, Ma'an reported.

He was quoted as saying the dress will serve as a link between Palestine's past, present and future, using cultural traditions in new and innovative ways.