The head of West Bank preventive security, Colonel Jibril Rajoub, said Thursday he accepted his dismissal by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. "I respect this decision and I am going to carry it out," Rajoub said, adding he had been informed of Arafat's decision by an "Arab country's intelligence service."
He added, however, that he would submit a letter of resignation once Arafat issues any formal notice.
Rajoub had refused to acknowledge his dismissal after Palestinian public works minister Azzam al Ahmed said late Tuesday he had been replaced by Jenin governor Zuheir Manasrah.
For his part, Manasrah said Thursday he had been informed of his new appointment and had accepted.
A Palestinian police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said sacked Gaza police chief, Ghazi Jabali,too, planned to resign once formally notified of his dismissal and would consider running against Arafat in January elections.
Earlier, the Palestinian information minister denied that Arafat had tried to sack Rajoub. Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo said any plan to remove Rajoub was just a rumour although decisions were expected on restructuring the security services this week.
"Decisions (on the reform of security services) will be taken and will be made public within a day or two," Abed Rabbo told Qatari satellite television station al-Jazeera. "There are suggestions and issues under discussion and maybe some of these things under discussion were leaked to the press. A decision regarding these issues has not been issued yet."
Meanwhile, the Israeli army lifted Thursday morning curfews in four Palestinian cities. However, the restrictions are to resume Thursday afternoon, Israel Radio reported.
Meanwhile, the city of Tulkarem with 80,000 Palestinian residents remained under curfew for a seventh consecutive day. Israel said on Wednesday it was easing some of the restrictions imposed by its army, although hundreds of thousands of Palestinians will remain under curfew at night.
Israeli soldiers arrested several Hamas suspects early Thursday in the Qalqilya, Tubas and Hebron areas, Israeli reports said. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
