Palestinian prime minister-designate Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) has introduced some changes to his new cabinet in an attempt to appease supporters of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat ahead of a vote of confidence in the Palestinian Parliament, the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).
The changes include appointing Yasser Abed Rabbo, the outgoing information minister and one of Arafat's loyalists, as minister for the cabinet affairs. Another Arafat loyalist, Saeb Erekat, has been given the portfolio of minister for negotiations.
The PLC is expected to convene in Ramallah Tuesday, but sources close to Abbas said the vote could take place only the following day.
Meanwhile, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine called on the PLC to reject the new cabinet of prime minister-designate Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), saying it had been "imposed" by US pressure.
"We call on the Palestinian Legislative Council to reject this government imposed by US blackmail, pressure and intervention in our internal affairs," the PFLP said in a statement issued in Gaza.
Meanwhile, one Palestinian and two Israeli troops were wounded Monday in a shooting incident in Nablus.
The soldiers were wounded while surrounding a building in the Ras Al Ein neighborhood in the West Bank city.
In Qalqilyah, a Palestinian fighter was wounded Monday by Israeli gunfire, and occupation troops destroyed the home of a suicide bomber who last year carried out an attack in Tel Aviv. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
