Palestinian prime minister intends to give up job soon

[CShine]

Interim Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia told the ruling Fatah party Sunday he does not intend to seek the job when a new Cabinet is formed in three weeks, Fatah officials said. Speaking after a meeting of the Fatah central committee, Mr. Qureia said a new government would be formed in three weeks "with a new prime minister, too."

If Mr. Qureia follows through, he would be the second Palestinian prime minister since last month to give up the job because of disputes with Yasser Arafat. However, with several more weeks in his term, he could reach a compromise with the Palestinian leader that would keep him in office.

Mr. Qureia currently heads an emergency, temporary Cabinet appointed by Mr. Arafat a week ago. When that Cabinet expires in early November, Mr. Qureia was to have formed a more permanent Cabinet to be confirmed by Palestinian legislators.

But Mr. Qureia has been arguing with Mr. Arafat for days over who would be security chief in the new Cabinet and whether Mr. Arafat even had the authority to name an emergency Cabinet without legislative approval. During a heated fight last week, Mr. Qureia threatened to resign, just days after taking office.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031012.wpali1012/BNStory/International/

[Equinox]

1. Here we go again!

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