Arafat backs down over new security chief

Backing down in the face of widespread protests, Yasser Arafat replaced his cousin as Palestinian security chief today and asked the former chief to return to his job.

The Palestinian leader phoned Brigadier General Abdel Razek Majaide and asked him to return to the office he left last week at Arafat’s request, said Nabil Abu Rdeneh, a senior Arafat adviser.