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.

Arafat took the decision to calm the anger that has spilled into the streets of Gaza over the appointment of Moussa Arafat, Rdeneh said.

Opponents claimed the appointment perpetuated a system of corruption and cronyism endemic among the Palestinian leadership.

But Moussa Arafat retained a senior security post in Gaza, subordinate to Majaide who has overall authority in both Gaza and the West Bank, the officials said.

Palestinian gunmen last night stormed an intelligence office in one Gaza refugee camp and marched through another, protesting at Moussa Arafat’s appointment.

But in Gaza City today, hundreds of his supporters marched through the streets, some firing assault rifles into the air – raising the possibility of a violent conflict over the appointment.

“We will protect you by our soul and our blood, our hero Abu Amr,” the demonstrators chanted, referring to Yasser Arafat.

The turmoil in Gaza was a grave challenge for Arafat and highlighted sharp rifts between the veteran Palestinian leader and the Cabinet that is supposed to be running the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

In the Rafah refugee camp late last night, gunmen exchanged fire with guards at security headquarters and attempted to break into the complex with a bulldozer. The guards wounded three attackers, but there were no casualties among the security forces, staff at the building said.