BERLIN, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia told German officials Tuesday he has considered resigning, German newspapers report.
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reports Qureia mentioned his resignation after Arafat aroused massive controversy by rejecting a Palestinian cabinet decision.
This is not the first time Qureia has mentioned resigning.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder was among those to meet with Qureia Tuesday in Berlin, where the prime minister has been spending time.
Schroeder carefully avoided discussing the barrier being erected by Israel to separate Israelis and Palestinians but called on both sides to return to direct discussion and internationally mediated peace efforts.
"Only direct talks can set the peace process back in motion," Schroeder said after his meeting with Qureia.
Qureia announced a Thursday meeting between Palestinian and Israeli officials in preparation for a planned summit with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Qureia said the barrier represents a "danger" to the peace process "especially for the two-state solution."
