Abbas resignation puts peace plan in crisis
Saturday, 6 September 2003 22:23
The Middle East peace process has been plunged into crisis today after Palestinian President, Yasser Arafat, accepted the resignation of his Prime Minister, Mahmoud Abbas.
Mr Abbas offered to step down after losing a power struggle with Mr Arafat over control of Palestinian security forces.
Israel has said it will not work with a Palestinian government which is dominated by Mr Arafat.
Reacting to the announcement, the Minster for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen, said the roadmap was not dead -- but needed to be re-enforced.
He called for an urgent meeting of the quartet that backs the peace deal: America, the EU, the UN and Russia.
Mr Cowen said it was up to the Palestinians themselves to resolve the situation, but noted that Yassir Arafat had endorsed Mahmoud Abbas as Prime Minster with control of all security forces.
The Prime Minister has been threatening to step down after failing to win enough support for political reforms and action against militants.
Last Thursday he called on the parliament either to sack him or to support his efforts to win authority from Mr Arafat to carry out reforms and deal with militants, but failed to gain sufficient support.
His departure threatens to destroy the American-backed plan for peace with Israel since any replacement would be seen an Arafat stooge.
