Arafat's choice of security chief rejected

RAMALLAH - Palestinian security chiefs yesterday rejected Yasser Arafat's choice for a new West Bank leader for their forces, increasing pressure on the Palestinian President as he faces intense United States calls for reform.

Palestinian sources said more than 100 top security officials refused in a heated meeting near the West Bank city of Ramallah to accept Arafat's appointment of Zuhair Manasra as Preventive Security chief in place of Jibril Rajoub.

Although it was unlikely that the call from Rajoub loyalists would force Arafat to retract his dismissal, the rejection was an unusual form of dissent against Arafat from within his own security services.

Salah Tamaizi, head of Preventive Security in Ramallah, said the opposition was aimed not just at Rajoub's sacking, but at his replacement by a political appointment. Manasra used to be the governor of the West Bank city of Jenin.

- REUTERS

Feature: Middle East

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