Qorei accepts job as PM

2003-09-10 14:23

Ramallah - The speaker of the Palestinian parliament, Ahmed Qorei, announced on Wednesday that he would accept the nomination to become prime minister and would form an emergency government.

"The president (Yasser Arafat) asked and urged me strongly to accept to form a government," Qorei told reporters.

"I agreed and I have got to face this crisis, to face this problem," he added, as a new spiral of violence gripped the region.

"I will take the risk. I will take the responsiblity. I will go forward.

"I hope I will be able to form an emergency government - a six-, seven- or eight- person government."

Qorei condemned an Israeli air strike in Gaza on Wednesday morning in which a Hamas political leader was lightly injured and two people killed. But in the same breath, he also condemned two suicide attacks in Israel which left 15 dead as well as the bombers.

"What happened today (in Gaza) is very dangerous and is not acceptable," said the 65-year-old.

"What happened from the Palestinians is unacceptable and is dangerous.

"We are passing in a very dangerous historical moment. Each side should hold its responsiblity carefully. We should put emotion aside and think seriously about the interests of both our peoples."

Qorei had earlier told AFP the Israelis had to resume peace talks with the Palestinians in order to bring an end to the bloodshed.

The Israeli government froze all ties with the Palestinian Authority in the aftermath of a massive suicide bomb in Jerusalem more than three weeks which left 21 bus passengers dead.

Qorei was asked by Arafat to form a government last Sunday after Abbas resigned the day before.

- AFP