Palestinian Negotiation Affairs Minister Saeb Erekat has resigned from the cabinet, a Palestinian official said on Friday.
The official said Erekat, 48, a prominent figure in Palestinian national politics since 1996, tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday.
However, Erekat would neither confirm nor deny reports of his resignation, saying that the issue was an internal Palestinian matter. Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat has reportedly asked Erekat to delay his resignation for several days and reconsider before making the move final.
Senior Palestinian officials said Friday morning that Erekat cited his dissatisfaction with the way diplomatic contacts with Israel were being handled. The officials stressed, however, that the resignation was precipitated by Abu Mazen's decision not to include Erekat in the Palestinian delegation that will travel to Jerusalem on Saturday to meet with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
