 Wielding unexpected political clout, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas stepped in yesterday to quell a legislative rebellion that has held up the appointment of a new Cabinet and threatened to bring down his prime minister. Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei has been trying all week to install a new Cabinet. Lawmakers objected to his first list because it was stacked with political cronies of the late Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat.
| Yasser is now safely dead, so nobody has to kiss his hand anymore. |
A second lineup dominated by professional appointments didn't mollify legislators, either. Several said they wanted to push out Qorei and would not support any Cabinet he proposes. Qorei would have to step down if he fails to get his Cabinet approved in coming days. Abbas summoned legislators from his majority Fatah party yesterday and told them this was no time for a political crisis. "The whole world is watching, and we have a lot to do," Fatah legislator Abdel Karim Abu Salah quoted Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, as telling party lawmakers. Fatah legislator Mohammed Horani said the struggle appears to be over. "We have agreed in principle with Abu Mazen to let this crisis pass," he said. |