Abbas intervenes as Palestinian cabinet tensions boil over

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas intervened today to end a political crisis over the formation of a new cabinet, after it became apparent the turmoil could bring down his prime minister.

MPs from Abbas’ Fatah Party had said they would not support Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia’s new cabinet, despite promises that he would replace corruption-tainted politicians with professional appointees.

The proposed Cabinet would make it easier for Abbas to carry out reforms than one stacked with politicians.

Qureia will have to step down if he fails to get his cabinet approved. A vote was originally set for today, but was then delayed until Thursday at the earliest – a sign of Qureia’s difficulties.

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 the legislature.

Abbas had largely remained on the sidelines during the political turmoil of the past few days, but convened Fatah MPs at his Ramallah headquarters today and urged them to support Qureia’s cabinet.

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

Abbas and Qureia have long been political rivals, but co-operated after Arafat’s death in November. In recent weeks, their relationship has cooled.