POLITICS: Afafat: Qorei to Remain Prime Minister Despite Resignation, page 1

Palestinian Prime Minister, Ahmed Qorei, submitted his resignation to President Yasser Arafat on Saturday. During an emergency cabinet meeting today. Arafat formally refused to accept his resignation and stated he will continue acting as Prime Minister "for the coming period."
Qorei insisted that he will not withdraw his resignation.

CNN
Following an emergency Cabinet meeting, spokesman Nabil Abu Rudaineh said Arafat had formally rejected the resignation and Qorei would remain the prime minister "for the coming period."

But chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat, who attended the meeting, said Qorei would not back down, insisting his resignation -- prompted by Arafat's reluctance to adopt reforms and what Qorei called the state of "chaos and violence" in Gaza -- would not be withdrawn.

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The resignation came after increased violence in the Gaza Strip. Qorei said the area was in "an unprecedented state of chaos" and some speculation indicates that he is not given the power he needs to properly perform his duties as Prime Minister.

He took office in November, after the resignation of the previous Prime Minister.

[edit on 20-7-2004 by Banshee]