Palestinian premier facing defeat and resignation

The Palestinian prime minister had trouble securing a parliamentary majority for his proposed Cabinet today, despite promises that he would replace corruption-tainted politicians.

Ahmed Qureia would have to step down if he fails to get his Cabinet approved. A vote was set for later today but could be delayed.

Several MPs said they wanted to push Qureia out and would not support any Cabinet he proposes.

During years as parliament speaker, Qureia made many enemies among MPs who perceived him as doing the bidding of the late Yasser Arafat, at the expense of parliament.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who had largely remained on the sidelines during the political turmoil of the past few days, convened MPs from his ruling Fatah party in Ramallah and urged them to support Qureia’s Cabinet.

But later, more than two dozen MPs, including many from Fatah, met in a Ramallah hotel and decided not to back the new list. Fatah controls more than half the seats in the 85 member parliament, and Qureia needs unanimous support from the party’s MPs.

“The general feeling was that this Cabinet will fall,” said Cabinet minister Jamal Shobaki.

Earlier this week, Qureia had presented a Cabinet to parliament that included only four new faces, prompting an angry outcry from MPs. After wall-to-wall criticism, he returned with a promise to overhaul his team and appoint many more professionals.

Israel and the United States have long demanded reforms to the corruption-plagued Palestinian Authority, and success in the task is one of the key tests for Abbas.