Palestinian premier to present his new cabinet on Wednesday

Palestinian prime minister-designate Ahmed Qorei will announce his new cabinet on Wednesday following the approval of President Yasser Arafat and Fatah Central Committee.

Qorei will propose his cabinet before the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) if Israel lifts the blockade imposed on Palestinian lawmakers in the Gaza Strip from where they need to enter West Bank where the meeting will be held on Wednesday.

"We are waiting for a message from Qorei informing us that he had formed his cabinet, then a council meeting can be convened," Ibrahim Abu Al Naja, PLC Speaker, told Gulf News.

Sources said the government will comprise 24 ministers, including General Nasr Yousif as interior minister, who will be also in charge of security.

The list will also include Yahya Yakhlof (culture), and Dr. Jawad Al Tibi (health). Musa Zaboot, Zohaira Kama, Ahmad Majdalani will represent Islamic Struggle Front and Taysir Khalid from the DFLP.

Sources confirmed former ministers Abdel Rahman Hamad and Yasser Abd Rabbo will join the new government.

The 12 ministers from the former cabinet of Mahmoud Abbas will keep their posts. They are: Nabil Shaath, Salam Fayad, Maher Al Masri, Nabil Qesis, Rafiq Al Natsha, Azam Al Ahmad, Ghassan Al Khatib, Naeem Abu Al Homos, Jamal Al Shobaki, Metri Eita, Hisham Abdel Razik, and Entesar Al Wazir.

The National Security Council will be headed by Arafat and will include ministers of interior, foreign affairs and finance, in addition to Jibril Al Rjoob and former security chief Mohammed Dahlan.