RAMALLAH, Gaza, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- A power struggle between Yasser Arafat and Mahmoud Abbas will come to a head this week when the Palestinian Legislative Council votes on a no-confidence bill.
Prime Minister Abbas has ordered the replacement of senior officials appointed by Chairman Arafat, who in response, ordered the officials not to leave their posts.
Thursday, the Palestinian Legislative Council was expected to begin hearings on a proposal to hold a vote of no-confidence in Abbas. The United States has warned the 83 PLC members not to vote against Abbas, but Palestinian sources said more than half of the Fatah-dominated council supports a proposed no-confidence motion, WorldTribune.com reported.
Another dispute between Abbas and Arafat regards the chairman's appointment of Brig. Gen. Jibril Rajoub as PA national security adviser. Abbas has viewed the appointment as seeking to undermine PA Security Affairs Minister Mohammed Dahlan.
