Arafat backs down over security chief

BACKING down in the face of violent protests, Yasser Arafat asked the ousted Palestinian chief of security to return to his job yesterday, placing him in command of his cousin, Palestinian officials said.

Meanwhile, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia said he stood by his resignation letter and called on Mr Arafat to "appoint the right men to the right posts" in the security services.

He said the dispute with r Arafat over his resignation remained unresolved. "I have not received a written response," Mr Qureia said, indicating he did not accept Mr Arafat's verbal rejection of his resignation.