(Jerusalem Post) Khaled Abu Toameh - PA sources said Tuesday that a draft agreement between Arafat and Abbas calls for appointing a new interior minister in charge of the security forces - a post formally held by Abbas - who is expected to be an Arafat loyalist. Under the terms of the deal, Security Minister Muhammad Dahlan would retain his job, although his powers will be significantly undercut. A PA official said the deal gives Arafat a bigger say in negotiations with Israel by making him head of the Palestinian Higher Negotiating Committee. "All key decisions regarding the negotiations must be referred to Arafat for approval," he said. The deal is seen in PA circles as yet another blow to both Abbas and Dahlan.
2003-09-03 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive