Arafat Might Form New Cabinet Within Two Days: Officials

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, October 17, 2002

Arafat Might Form New Cabinet Within Two Days: Officials

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat might form a new cabinet to replace the one that resigned on Sept. 11 within two days, Palestinian official sources disclosed on Wednesday.

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Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat might form a new cabinet to replace the one that resigned on Sept. 11 within two days, Palestinian official sources disclosed on Wednesday.

Arafat chaired a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in West Bank town of Ramallah, and called for the new cabinet that would carry the greatresponsibility to fulfil the task facing the Palestinians.

a Palestinian official, who asked not to be identified, said that Arafat is expected to form the new cabinet either Wednesday night, or within two days.

The official said that former ministers like Saeb Erekat and Nabil Shaath would probably stay in the new cabinet, while ministers like Abdel Razaq Al Yahya (interior), Yasser Abed Rabbo (information) and Jamil Tareefi (civil affairs) might not be included in it.

"They would take other official positions in the Palestinian (National) Authority," said the official.

Palestinian sources expected that Abed Rabbo might replace TayebAbdel Rahim, presidential secretary, while Abdel Rahim might take the position of interior minister. Tareefi will be the chief of civil affairs council.

Lawmaker Hanan Ashrawi was asked to join the new government, butshe refused, said the sources, adding that officials are pressuringher to accept the portfolio of information or high education.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the PLO said that forming a new cabinet was on the agenda of Wednesday's meeting, adding that "this new government has to take big responsibilities to get the Palestinians out of this miserable situation."

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