Palestinian officials say that Yasser Arafat has requested Ahmad Qurei, the Speaker of the Palestinian Parliament, to be his next Prime Minister. These officials state that two key Palestinian committees approved Mr. Qurei's appointment on Sunday. On Saturday, Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Prime Minister, resigned amid a dispute with Mr. Arafat over control of the Palestinian security forces. Colin Powell, the U.S. Secretary of State, says that progress towards peace will be halted unless the next Palestinian Prime Minister has full control over the security forces. Israel and the United States have also warned that they will not deal with any Palestinian government led by Mr. Arafat or his loyalists. Meanwhile, Palestinian security officials report that an Israeli helicopter gunship fired at least three missiles at the home of a member of the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. According to these officials, at least ten people were injured in this attack late on Sunday. Israeli military officials say that Hamas was using this house to store explosives.
Palestinian Officials: Arafat Proposed Prime Ministership to the Speaker of Parliament
Yasser Arafat has proposed Ahmad Qurei as the next Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority following Mahmoud Abbas's resignation over security control disputes. The U.S. warns that peace progress is contingent on the new Prime Minister's control over security forces, while Israel continues military actions against Hamas in Gaza. This situation highlights ongoing tensions in Palestinian leadership and international relations.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Yasser Arafat has proposed Ahmad Qurei as the next Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority following Mahmoud Abbas's resignation over a dispute regarding security forces. The U.S. has warned that peace efforts will be stalled unless the new Prime Minister has full control over these forces.
- Mahmoud Abbas resigned due to a power struggle with Arafat over security control.
- Israeli military actions against Hamas continue, indicating ongoing violence in the region.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Palestinian Authority has faced ongoing internal divisions and external pressures, particularly from Israel and the U.S., complicating efforts for peace and governance.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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