Arafat has not yet settled on new ministerial assignments

The executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization said it will remain in a permanent state of convening during the coming days to resume consultations concerning the matter of new ministerial assignments in the Palestinian government.

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat informed the committee today of the results of consultations he made with representatives of different national forces in order to carry out the ministerial reshuffle, and an agreement was reached to hold more consultations in order to achieve the wider national unity to face the requirements of the coming period and its challenges.

Arafat also informed the Palestinian leadership about the message he addressed to the U.N. Security Council, in which he asked it to practice its role and responsibilities to limit Israeli practices towards Jerusalem and toward establishing armed guards units for settlement .

The Palestinian leadership said, according to reports by Palestinian sources, that, "The American efforts did not achieve any progress in spite of the rumors reported by the Israeli government over Israeli - Palestinian official meetings or about having a progress in the American - Israeli communications."

The Palestinian leadership praised the stance of Pope John Paul II and the European summit in Cardiff for their confirmation of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and to establish an independent state.