New Palestinian speaker appointed

[Darranar]

RAMALLAH: The Palestinian parliament elected a new speaker on Monday in a sign that caretaker Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei is close to forming a new government.

The Palestinian Legislative Council elected Rafiq al-Natsheh as the speaker, permanently replacing Qorei who served as speaker from 1996 until early October when Palestinian President Yasser Arafat appointed him as temporary prime minister. In comments likely to rankle Israel, new speaker Natsheh called on Palestinians to “continue all kinds of struggles” in a speech to the Palestinian Legislative Council.

The speaker is one of the most important positions in the Palestinian Authority because by law he would become acting president if Arafat should die. The 30-day term of Qorei’s caretaker government expires at midnight on Tuesday but senior Palestinian officials said he was close to establishing a new, more permanent government.

“Ahmed Qorei’s cabinet is expected to take shape in the coming 48 hours,” Arafat’s spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah told Reuters.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_4-11-2003_pg7_39

[Jack Rabbit]

1. Let's hope he has more success than Abbas

That's my optimistic side talking. The other part me wants to start a pool. I say he lasts six months or less before he quits in frustration. Any takers?

[ForestsBeatBushes]

2. too easy

let's place bets on the exact day he's a goner