Palestinians agree to PM but Arafat hangs on

Palestinian MPs today approved the new position of prime minister but a behind-the-scenes deal is reported to be already in place guaranteeing Yasser Arafat continued control over security and peace talks with Israel.

Parliament in the West Bank town of Ramallah was to discuss the powers of the prime minister later today. Arafat has chosen his deputy in the PLO, Mahmoud Abbas, for the job.