Palestinian Mayor in West Bank Resigns

[Herschel]

- The Palestinian mayor of Nablus has resigned, citing frustrations over rising lawlessness in the West Bank's largest city.

Mayor Ghassan Shakaa told The Associated Press he has submitted his resignation to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat (news - web sites) to protest inaction by Palestinian leaders and security forces to stop the chaos.

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"I have submitted my resignation to President Arafat because I see my city collapsing and I don't want to stand idly by and watch this collapse," Shakaa said. "My resignation is a warning bell to the Palestinian Authority (news - web sites) and the residents of Nablus, because both of them are doing nothing for this city."


In November, Palestinian gunmen killed Shakaa's brother. The mayor, who had been locked in a power struggle with armed gangs, named suspects, but security forces still have not arrested them.

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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=736&e=10&u=/ap/20040227/ap_on_re_mi_ea/palestinians_mayor_resigns

Refreshing to see a Palestinian official asking Palestinians to take responsibility for Palestinian lawlessness. Surely the elimination of his own brother, with no response from security forces, was compelling.