PLO executive committee continues discussion of ministerial reshuffle

The executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization continued its communications to discuss the new ministerial formation for the Palestinian government, where Palestinian President Yasser Arafat will present to the committee the names of the nominated ministers before presenting it to the Palestinian Legislative Council to attain a vote of confidence.

Arafat put an end to a series of consultations that he held with the representatives of parliamentary factions in the legislative council and with leaders representing most of the parties and Palestinian factions that work under the supervision of the PLO, where these sides represent the Islamic opposition movement. Arafat held a meeting yesterday with representatives of of Hamas and the Islamic Salvation Party.

Mohammed El-Hindi, one of the leaders in Hamas, said that his movement is confirming to Arafat its firm position in rejecting the Oslo agreements and participation in the government, considering it one of Oslo's outcomes.

Then one of the people's party leaders, Soliman El-Negab, described the consultations that took place as positive, calling all opposing factions to participate in the new government's formation.

The head of legislative council, Ahmed Qorei, refused to make the change limited and emphasized that the demand of Palestinian council and public is a comprehensive ministerial change.