Qurei and Arafat in a public show of reconciliation (AFP)

RAMALLAH, July 27 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmad Qorei retracted his resignation on Tuesday, July 27, after President Yasser Arafat gave him security powers, easing a damaging leadership crisis.

"The president rejected my resignation and I will comply," Qorei, who tendered his resignation 10 days ago, told reporters standing alongside Arafat, reported Reuters news agency.

"I am satisfied that President Arafat is serious this time, that it is not just words but that this time there will be action…And I underline and underscore that this was not a power struggle," he added.

Qorei and Arafat, who for decades were close friends, emerged together from a cabinet meeting and exchanged kisses to the cheek in a public show of reconciliation after weeks of tension and turmoil.

Hassan Abu Libdeh, Qorei's chief of staff, said Tuesday's deal put the Palestinian premier in effective charge of the police and preventive (internal) security services for the first time.

"The cabinet has been given powers to exercise its duties," he stressed.

Arafat acted after an unprecedented explosion of public unrest over inaction on demands for reforms.

Qorei resigned on July 17 after a spate of kidnappings in Gaza highlighting a breakdown in law and order in the Palestinian territories and unprecedented protests against Arafat's handling of security.

Although Arafat did slash the number of security services from eight to three, the move backfired when he promoted his unpopular cousin Moussa Arafat to the post of head of general security -- only to demote him after violent protests against the appointment.

Complementary Effort

Arafat's top adviser Nabil Abu Rdainah said the agreement clarified the powers of president and prime minister "according to our Basic Law. The two will complement each other", Reuters added.

The Palestinian leader further agreed to allow the Palestinian attorney general to pursue corruption investigations to foster rule of law, Negotiations Minister Saeb Erekat said.

Arafat has come recently under enormous pressures from the US and the European Union alike to empower Qorei to carry out long-awaited reforms.

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said it would take more than rhetoric to prove the Palestinians had changed direction.

"We need action, not propositions, not proposals, not commitments, (but) action," he said during a visit to Hungary .

"Real action that transfers power to the prime minister, to the Palestinian people, Palestinian Authority and a consolidation of security services ... under the direction of the prime minister," Powell told reporters at the start of his weeklong multi-leg tour that includes Egypt , Saudi Arabia , Kuwait , Bosnia and Poland .

Egyptian sources said Powell’s visit to the Middle East is aimed at sidelining the veteran Palestinian leader.