BBC NEWS
Gaza storm over new security boss
The new Palestinian security chief has taken command, vowing to face down fierce protests against his nomination.
Musa Arafat was appointed on Saturday by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat - his uncle - sparking charges of corruption and nepotism.
The militant al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades attacked a security post in the Gaza Strip overnight in protest.
The security crisis has triggered political turmoil and a resignation offer by Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei.
Musa Arafat took command of the Palestinian security forces at a ceremony in Gaza City on Sunday.
Afterwards he said he was prepared to fight all "potential enemies" and would ignore the protests.
"I take my orders from His Excellency President Arafat," he said.
"The one who appointed me is the only one who can ask me to quit my job."
The appointment was part of an effort to reform the security services.
But the move angered many Palestinians - including members of Mr Arafat's own Fatah movement.
Threat
The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades - a Fatah offshoot - are violently opposed to Musa Arafat.
They accuse him of symbolising what they say is the cronyism and corruption of the Palestinian Authority.
On Sunday more than 30 members of the group stormed the offices of the Authority's intelligence service in the Khan Yunis refugee camp.
Those inside were briefly detained, but no one was hurt.
In a statement the group said it would take "tougher action" if Musa Arafat did not step down.
The BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza City says the violence and the tone of the statement are a sign of how grave the security crisis has become.
They are also a sign of the bitterness of the division within Mr Arafat's Fatah movement, our correspondent adds.
Mr Arafat is also facing a leadership crisis sparked by the security situation in the Gaza Strip.
His prime minister tendered his resignation after a string of high-profile kidnappings on Friday. Those abducted and then released included the Gaza police chief Ghazi Jabali and four French aid workers.
Going, gone?
Mr Qurei described the security situation in Gaza as "a real disaster, a real catastrophe, and an unprecedented lawlessness".
Mr Arafat rejected his offer to stand down.
I totally reject your resignation and consider it non-existent
Yasser Arafat
But after four hours of talks between the two men on Sunday, Mr Qurei insisted he intended to go.
Mr Arafat also responded by announcing an overhaul of security, cutting the number of services from eight to three - a long-standing demand of international mediators.
The Palestinian cabinet is to meet on Monday and a state of emergency is in force in Gaza.
The BBC's David Chazan in Jerusalem says the crisis poses a serious challenge for Mr Arafat and many Palestinian officials fear they may be facing a period of prolonged political instability.
On Saturday more than 2,000 Palestinians gathered in front of the Legislative Council headquarters in Gaza City and shouted slogans denouncing the new appointments, particularly that of Musa Arafat.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/3904799.stm
Published: 2004/07/18 15:14:51 GMT
© BBC MMIV
Gaza storm over new security boss
The new Palestinian security chief has taken command, vowing to face down fierce protests against his nomination.
Musa Arafat was appointed on Saturday by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat - his uncle - sparking charges of corruption and nepotism.
The militant al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades attacked a security post in the Gaza Strip overnight in protest.
The security crisis has triggered political turmoil and a resignation offer by Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei.
Musa Arafat took command of the Palestinian security forces at a ceremony in Gaza City on Sunday.
Afterwards he said he was prepared to fight all "potential enemies" and would ignore the protests.
"I take my orders from His Excellency President Arafat," he said.
"The one who appointed me is the only one who can ask me to quit my job."
The appointment was part of an effort to reform the security services.
But the move angered many Palestinians - including members of Mr Arafat's own Fatah movement.
Threat
The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades - a Fatah offshoot - are violently opposed to Musa Arafat.
They accuse him of symbolising what they say is the cronyism and corruption of the Palestinian Authority.
On Sunday more than 30 members of the group stormed the offices of the Authority's intelligence service in the Khan Yunis refugee camp.
Those inside were briefly detained, but no one was hurt.
In a statement the group said it would take "tougher action" if Musa Arafat did not step down.
The BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza City says the violence and the tone of the statement are a sign of how grave the security crisis has become.
They are also a sign of the bitterness of the division within Mr Arafat's Fatah movement, our correspondent adds.
Mr Arafat is also facing a leadership crisis sparked by the security situation in the Gaza Strip.
His prime minister tendered his resignation after a string of high-profile kidnappings on Friday. Those abducted and then released included the Gaza police chief Ghazi Jabali and four French aid workers.
Going, gone?
Mr Qurei described the security situation in Gaza as "a real disaster, a real catastrophe, and an unprecedented lawlessness".
Mr Arafat rejected his offer to stand down.
I totally reject your resignation and consider it non-existent
Yasser Arafat
But after four hours of talks between the two men on Sunday, Mr Qurei insisted he intended to go.
Mr Arafat also responded by announcing an overhaul of security, cutting the number of services from eight to three - a long-standing demand of international mediators.
The Palestinian cabinet is to meet on Monday and a state of emergency is in force in Gaza.
The BBC's David Chazan in Jerusalem says the crisis poses a serious challenge for Mr Arafat and many Palestinian officials fear they may be facing a period of prolonged political instability.
On Saturday more than 2,000 Palestinians gathered in front of the Legislative Council headquarters in Gaza City and shouted slogans denouncing the new appointments, particularly that of Musa Arafat.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/3904799.stm
Published: 2004/07/18 15:14:51 GMT
© BBC MMIV
