Arafat asks PM Qureia to stay in job, form new government

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, October 29, 2003

Arafat asks PM Qureia to stay in job, form new government

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Yasser Arafat on Tuesday asked Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia to stay on the job and form a new government by next week, officials said, a move that could give a small lift to troubled U.S.-backed peace plan.

Qureia, whose one-month term as head of an emergency Cabinet ends next week, said he hasn't received a formal offer yet, but that he would accept once he receives it.

The United States and other international mediators have been closely watching Palestinian efforts to form a government, saying a stable Palestinian leadership is needed to push the road map peace plan forward. Still, Tuesday's announcement failed to resolve the sticky issue of who would oversee Palestinian security forces.

Qureia currently heads an emergency Cabinet whose term expires Nov. 4. There had been some uncertainty over whether Qureia, upset by arguments with Arafat over control of the security forces, would agree to continue in the job.

Qureia's previous efforts to form a larger government have failed because of wrangling over appointments. In particular, Qureia had been unable to agree with Arafat over the key post of interior minister, which would control the various Palestinian security agencies.

Qureia, who hopes to reach a cease-fire with Israel and get peace talks back on track, had unsuccessfully tried to attract representatives of Islamic militant groups into his first government.

Source: Agencies

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