Arafat delays fresh peace effort
Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat yesterday delayed the creation of a new cabinet by opposing Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia’s first choice for interior minister.
Mr Qureia had met with Mr Arafat on Tuesday but failed to overcome the issue.
With Mr Arafat refusing to relinquish full control of security forces, he blocked Mr Qureia’s candidate for interior minister, General Nasser Yousef. Mr Yousef is in favour of a broader remit for the post and has been increasingly critical of his former colleague.
Mr Arafat wants Hakam Balawi in charge of security, according to a senior official from his ruling Fatah party.
A spat over security issues led to the resignation of former Palestinian Prime Minister, Mahmoud Abbas on September 6th, after just four months in office.
Mr Qureia on Tuesday said he would present his new cabinet for parliamentary approval next week, despite the month-long mandate of his emergency cabinet expiring at midnight.
