The Palestinian legislature on Wednesday approved the new Cabinet of Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, ending a two-month stalemate that has stymied talks on ending the fighting with Israel.
The vote, which came after impassioned pleas by Qureia and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to halt violence, appeared to open the way for a resumption of peace talks with Israel.
After the vote, Israeli officials said they are ready to work with the new government.
Qureia’s government passed by a vote of 48 in favour, 13 against and five abstentions.
Qureia, who was appointed in September, failed to form a Cabinet during his first month in office. He then served for another month under an Arafat emergency decree that expired last week.
He broke the standoff on Sunday by giving in to Arafat on the crucial question of Palestinian security and police, effectively leaving the veteran leader in indirect control of most of the myriad forces.
A similar dispute over control of security forces led to the collapse of the government of Qureia’s predecessor, Mahmoud Abbas.
Before Wednesday’s vote, Qureia called for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire with Israel and a return to peace talks based on President Bush’s vision for two states.
”Let’s help each other stop this cycle of hell,” he said.
Israeli officials have said they are wary of Arafat’s continued grip on power. Israel accuses Arafat of fomenting violence and has tried to sideline the Palestinian leader.
Still, they have said they are willing to give Qureia a chance.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is expected to meet with Qureia in the near future.
”The main thing now is to end terrorism, restore law and order in the Palestinian street, and carry out the reforms they agreed to already, especially having one authority in control of security,” said Sharon spokesperson Raanan Gissin.
”We’re prepared to give Ahmed Qureia a grace period and judge him by the results.”
Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, said Sharon and Qureia would be meeting soon, but he did not provide additional details. — Sapa-AP