The top Palestinian security official submitted his resignation during a Cabinet meeting Monday, but the prime minister refused to accept it, senior government officials said.
Interior Minister Hani Kawasmeh conveyed the Cabinet he wanted to quit, according to Mohammed Madhoun, a top aide to Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas. Haniyeh refused to accept the resignation, Madhoun said, according to the AP.
Kawasmeh had threatened to step down because of lack of progress in reforming the security forces.
Earlier this month, the Cabinet gave the nod to a plan proposed by Kawasmeh to reform the security forces and fight increasing lawlessness in the Palestinian territories.
