Trouble for Qureia

The Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qureia had trouble on Wednesday securing a parliamentary majority for his proposed Cabinet, despite promises that he would replace corruption-tainted politicians with professional appointees.

The Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qureia had trouble on Wednesday securing a parliamentary majority for his proposed Cabinet, despite promises that he would replace corruption-tainted politicians with professional appointees.

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Qureia would have to step down if he fails to get his Cabinet approved. A vote was set for later on Wednesday, but could be delayed by a day or two.

Several legislators 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 legislators who perceived him as doing the bidding of the late Yasser Arafat, at the expense of the legislature.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who had largely remained on the sidelines during the political turmoil of the past few days, convened legislators from his ruling Fatah party on Wednesday, ahead of the vote, and urged them to support Qureia’s Cabinet.

Late on Tuesday, more than two dozen legislators, including many from Fatah, met and decided not to back the new list.