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.