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Qureia consolidating security forces

GAZA, July 13 (UPI) -- Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia said Tuesday the Palestinian Authority will consolidate security forces from eight units to three by August.

Al Ayyam daily in Ramallah quoted Qureia as saying there would be one commander for each of the three units, all reporting to a single senior officer.

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"The three security apparatuses would be in direct contact with the highest Palestinian council of security," said Qureia.

The Palestinian highest council of national security is headed by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Both Israel and the United States have said they don't want Arafat to have any authority over the Palestinian security apparatuses.

Qureia told the daily that he had informed the two official U.S. envoys, Stephen Hadley and Eliot Abrams during a meeting in Ramallah on Monday.

"They asked us questions about elections, reforms and security reorganization," Qureia said. "We answered them and they told us that they would ask the Israelis questions related to settlements and pullout."

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