Qurie makes break with Arafat legacy in cabinet

At least seven Arafat loyalists, including top Palestinian spokesman Saeb Erekat, were dropped from the original cabinet list proposed by Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie and technocrats were signed on to help the new government run more smoothly.

Israel and the United States have led international demands for an overhaul of the Palestinian Authority, especially consolidation of often rival security services to keep militants in check and end violence stalling peace efforts for four years. Abbas made reform a key part of his platform in the January 9 presidential election, but his long-time rival Qurie presented a cabinet list packed with cronies of the iconic Arafat.

Arafat’s death on November 11, however, has left his ‘‘old guard’’ more vulnerable to a younger generation in his dominant Fatah faction seeking reforms and a greater share of power.

Lawmakers’ ratification of a cabinet was delayed three times this week. Ultimately, backroom arm-twisting by Abbas and pressure for change from Fatah legislators forced Qurie, himself an Arafat appointee, to bend. —Reuters