Palestinian PM to Stay on Temporarily (but has no powers?)

[papau]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=716&e=4&u=/ap/20040720/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_palestinians

Palestinian PM to Stay on Temporarily

By MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH, Associated Press Writer

RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia told Yasser Arafat Tuesday he would stay on in his post, but only temporarily in a caretaker capacity, Cabinet ministers said.

In an angry confrontation in the Palestinian leader's office, Qureia insisted his resignation stands unless Arafat yields more power to the Cabinet, Palestinian officials said. <snip>

Qureia exited through a rear door to avoid reporters, leaving it unclear how long he would remain in the post or what his next move will be. <snip>

But Qureia was clearly angry that Arafat refused to yield power over the security forces, and at the lack of authority the Cabinet has to make and carry out decisions. <snip>

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&ncid=578&e=2&u=/nm/20040720/ts_nm/mideast_dc

Palestinian Leadership Crisis Boils On

By Mohammed Assadi

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - The Palestinian cabinet failed on Tuesday to resolve a leadership crisis as Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie agreed to stay on for now but kept a threat to quit "because he has no powers," officials said.

Qurie is frustrated over President Yasser Arafat (news - web sites)'s refusal to allow him to reform Palestinian institutions widely seen as corrupt and out of touch. International mediators regard reforms as crucial to reviving Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.

A senior Palestinian official said Qurie, who decided on Saturday to quit over unprecedented pro-reform unrest, told a crisis cabinet meeting on Tuesday he would remain in his post for now but would not formally withdraw his tendered resignation.

Palestinian Negotiations Minister Saeb Erekat said Qurie was still deadlocked with Arafat over the president's unwillingness to cede him powers to launch meaningful reforms, particularly to a murky jumble of security services ridden by cronyism. <snip>