Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), the designated Palestinian Authority Prime Minister, has asked the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (“PLC”), Ahmed Querei (Abu Ala’), to convene a special session of the PLC in order to confirm the Palestinian Authority Cabinet.

The request follows days of discussion with Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat, who today lent his support for the new Cabinet thereby increasing Palestinian popular support for the new government and the likelihood of the Cabinet’s confirmation in the PLC.

“I am very pleased that my Cabinet has received the support of President Arafat. The agreement on the Cabinet marks a victory for the Palestinian people as it demonstrates our commitment to democracy, even as we live under Israeli occupation,” said Abbas.

“I will work with the President’s office, the PLC and all other Palestinian institutions to create a government that is responsive to the needs of its people with the goal of improving the lives of Palestinians and ultimately end the Israeli occupation of our country,” said Abbas.

The PLC must convene within one week. The Cabinet will be confirmed by upon a majority vote of confidence by the 88-member PLC.

Abbas was nominated as Prime Minister on March 10, 2003 and accepted the nomination on March 19, 2003. According to Palestinian Basic Law, he had 5 weeks from the date of his acceptance to form a Cabinet.

Contacts: Michael Tarazi (+972-52-266-208) or Diana Buttu (+972-55-939-734)