US calls on Qurei to outlaw extremists

THE White House called on Palestinian prime minister-designate Ahmed Qurei yesterday to make denouncing and dismantling extremist groups which target Israel the top priority of his new government.

"We strongly believe that the new Cabinet needs to state clearly its opposition to all forms of terrorism," spokesman Scott McClellan said a day after two deadly suicide bombings killed 15 Israelis.

New Palestinian leaders must also "demand that all acts of terrorism cease and insist that terrorist and military organisations not under the control of the Palestinian Authority be outlawed and dismantled," he added.

Palestinian parliament speaker Ahmed Qurei yesterday accepted the post of prime minister and said he will present a small crisis Cabinet to parliament for approval within 24 hours.

Mr Qurei was nominated by Yassar Arafat on Sunday to replace Mahmoud Abbas, who resigned over the weekend amid a power struggle with the veteran Palestinian leader.

The announcement by Mr Qurei came after days of indecision and appeared to have been spurred by a new spike in violence two suicide bombings and an Israeli air strike in 17 hours.

Mr Qurei said his government's top priority will be strengthening and unifying the eight branches of the Palestinian security services.

"All the forces will be in one framework," Mr Qurei said.

Mr Qurei will appoint an interior minister, a minister for security affairs and a deputy prime minister for security affairs to oversee the forces, he said.

Control over security forces would be essential for the Palestinians to confront militant groups, as required by a US-backed "road map" peace plan. The Palestinians have been reluctant to do so for fear of sparking a civil war.

Mr Qurei, widely known as Abu Ala, initially demanded guarantees that Israel will change its policies, including halting military strikes and targeted killings of militants. Israel has refused to do so.

Mr Abbas resigned Saturday after four months in his post, dealing a setback to the peace plan, which seeks to establish a Palestinian state by 2005. Israel and the United States have refused to deal with Mr Arafat, whom they accuse of fomenting terrorism.

Israel government spokesman Zalman Shoval said Israel's attitude toward Mr Qurei would be determined by his actions.

"Our attitude to Qurei will not be in accordance with what he says, but rather if in fact he implements what the road map, the US and we expect from him," Mr Shoval said.