Abbas says his resignation is final, pro-Arafat demo

(7 Sep 2003) Ramallah, West Bank 1. Various shots of Fatah members leaving Yasser Arafat's office after meeting 2. Various of Parliament Speaker Ahmed Qureia walking past journalists and getting into car 3. Set-up of Arafat's aide Nabil Abu Rdeneh 4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Nabil Abu Rdeneh, Spokesman for Yasser Arafat: "So far, no decision has been taken yet. Abu Mazen remains acting prime minister. If he insists on keeping his resignation, there should be a new appointment. That would be discussed right now and tomorrow. And we hope that within the coming 48 hours, we will have reached the right conclusion." 5. Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas leaving his office, walking towards camera 6. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian Prime Minister: (Asked if he will consider forming a new government) "It is premature to talk about it. My resignation is final." 7. Abbas getting into his car 8. Car drives away Jenin, West Bank 9. Various of men holding up guns marching past camera during pro-Arafat demonstration 10. Picture of Yasser Arafat on wall 11. Various of crowd of marchers and gunmen parading along street STORYLINE: The search for a successor to Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, who resigned on Saturday after a debilitating power struggle with Yasser Arafat, began on Sunday. In Ramallah, Fatah leaders met with Arafat to review the reasons for Abbas' resignation and consider the next moves. Arafat has not yet accepted the resignation in writing, as required by law, but told Palestinian lawmakers he considered Abbas' Cabinet a caretaker government, implying recognition of the resignation. Arafat's aide, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, suggested on Sunday that there should be some sort of conclusion to the situation within 48 hours. However, once the resignation becomes final, Arafat has three weeks to name a successor. Parliamentary Speaker Ahmed Qureia is considered the front-runner. Abbas' resignation left Israel and the United States without a negotiating partner, at least temporarily, and dealt a severe blow to the already troubled U.S.-backed "road map" peace plan. The two nations refuse to deal with Arafat, saying he is tainted by terror and an obstacle to peace. One option is to reappoint Abbas and seek a Cabinet shuffle, though that's unlikely, with the prime minister insisting his decision is final. Abbas has told a confidant he felt abandoned by all sides and was deeply hurt. His office said in a statement Abbas quit because Israel had not carried out its obligations under the road map, because the United States had not enforced Israeli compliance and because Abbas' detractors at home had constantly undermined him with "harsh and dangerous" incitement. Meanwhile in the West Bank city of Jenin hundreds of pro-Arafat supporters took to the streets. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...