Palestinians to create post of prime minister

THE Palestinian parliament yesterday approved the new position of prime minister as part of reforms sought by the United States, Europe and Israel to curb Yasser Arafat’s near absolute powers.

However, it appears Arafat will retain control of two key issues security and peace talks with Israel while the new prime minister will deal largely with internal affairs, including naming and supervising cabinet ministers.

The power-sharing agreement, worked out last week by the Palestinian leader and his appointee for prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, falls short of demands that a new prime minister effectively replace Arafat as the chief peace negotiator.