Palestinians faced a political crisis over installation of a new Cabinet with a deadline looming, the two top leaders feuding, critics calling for reforms and lawmakers withholding their support.
At a parliament session on Monday, legislator after legislator took the podium and spoke out against the Cabinet lineup presented by Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, complaining that he was recycling the same old faces without making changes that would signal an end to the corruption and inefficiency that marred the Yasser Arafat era.
"This Cabinet will pass only when it comes without names of those who were involved in corruption," said Fatah member Jamal Shati, "and without real changes in its composition it will not pass."
The crisis was a test for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, hailed around the world for pledging to work for an end to violence with Israel and for reforms in the Palestinian Authority he inherited when he won a Jan. 9 election to replace Arafat, who died Nov. 11.
Before taking center stage with Arafat's death, Abbas was seen as a gray and uncharismatic functionary, adept at working behind the scenes but given to fits of pique that led to many walkouts and resignations, limiting his effectiveness.
The confrontation over the composition of the Cabinet may indicate to what extent Abbas is in charge, and how much of his prestige he is willing to invest to make far-reaching changes in his regime.
When 23 of the first 27 speakers, including many from the ruling Fatah Party, expressed opposition, making it clear that the 85-member body would not approve the new Cabinet, leaders suspended the session for a day.
Yesterday, the five-week period for Qureia to form a government expired. Palestinian legal expert Abdel Karim Abu Salah said his reading of the Palestinian Authority's basic law showed that if he fails, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas must appoint someone else as premier. However, others saw some room for maneuver.
Abbas' role in the crisis was not clear. He summoned lawmakers from his rebellious Fatah to his Ramallah headquarters late Monday for what appeared to be an effort to persuade them to back the Cabinet, but it was at least possible that Abbas was secretly behind the crisis, aiming to oust Qureia, a rival for decades.
Participants said no agreement was reached at the meeting, and the lawmakers would reconvene just before yesterday's parliament session for more talks.
The Cabinet Qureia presented included some key changes. Nasser Yousef, a tough ex-general who often clashed with Arafat, was named interior minister in charge of security forces -- replacing Arafat crony Hakam Bilawi.
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