In Ramallah: Arafat meets Fatah leaders to pick new Cabinet ministers

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and leaders of his Fatah movement convened on Thursday to choose ministers in the new Palestinian government. 

In Ramallah, the Fatah Central Committee held a meeting to choose candidates for 15 of 23 seats in the new Cabinet.  

It was unclear whether the Fatah leaders would present designated Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei (Abu Ala) with a slate of 15 ministers, or a list of candidates from which he would pick the ministers. The remaining eight ministers would represent other Palestinian groups or independents.  

Initially, Qurei wanted to set up an emergency Cabinet with around eight ministers, however Fatah and Palestinian leader Arafat vetoed that. (Albawaba.com)