Qurei: `�Security, reforms and elections are priorities"

Monday February 21, 2005 12:26

by IMEMC & Agencies

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahamd Qurei told the Palestinian Legislative Council that security, reforms and preparation for the legislative and local elections are top priorities in the agenda of the news government and pledged to work intensively to achieve these goals in cooperation with the president and the legislative council.

â€œThe government will conducted all of the needed practical and legal procedures to achieve stability and security in the Palestinian areas, we are committed to achieve security without harming the freedom of speech, and to avoid any internal conflictâ€, Qurei stated.

Qurei said that the government is committed to conduct the needed comprehensive reforms in the economical, security, financial and public administration sectors in cooperation with the PLC and organizations of the civil society.

Also, Qurei expressed hopes that the new government will be approved by the legislative council.

Fatah legislators after marathon meetings agreed to the new form and decided to support the government and vote in favor of Qureiâ€™s government at the legislative council vote later on Monday.

Following is the new government presented for Vote of Confidence as published at the website of the Palestinian News Agency WAFA;

1- Dr. Nabil Shaath Deputy PM

2- Dr. Salam Fayyad Minister of Finance

3- Dr. Saeb Erekat Minister of Civil affairs and Negotiations

4- M.G. Nasser Yousef Minister of Interior and National Security

5- Dr. Nasser Al-Qedwa Minister of Foreign Affairs

6- Mr. Nahedh Al-Rayyes Minister of Justice

7- Mr. Rafiq Al-Natsheh Minister of Labor

8- Dr. Naim Abu Al-humus Minister of Education and Higher Education

9- Mr. Azzam Alahmad Minister of Telecommunication and IT

10- Mr. Hisham Abdelrazek Minister of Prisoners' Affairs

11- Mr. Jamal Alshoubaki Minister of Local Governance