Mahmoud Abbas, who resigned as Palestinian Prime Minister Saturday, responded to mounting speculation he might reconsider his decision by saying Sunday that his resignation was final.
Speaking to reporters Sunday, Abbas did not rule out another stint as Palestinian Prime Minister at a later stage. "It's very premature to talk about this right now," Abbas said when asked whether he would accept the post again. "My resignation is final."
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Powell on Sunday said that the next Palestinian Prime Minister must have control over security forces and political backing to confront what he termed "terrorist groups" to move toward a Palestinian state.
"Whoever becomes head of the Palestinian Authority must have under his control all of the security forces and he must have a solid political mandate from the PLC to go after these terrorist organizations," Powell said on
ABC's This Week.
"If that person does not make a solid commitment to follow the road map, go after terrorism and stop these terrorist attacks, then it's not clear that we'll be able to move forward," Powell said.
Elsewhere, three Israeli soldiers were lightly injured
Sunday by an explosive device on the Kissufim-Gush Katif road in the central Gaza Strip. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
