Posted on 07/02/2002 4:51:25 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP)--Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on Tuesday fired his West Bank security chief and Gaza police chief, officials said, major steps toward reforming his security services.
West Bank Preventive Security Chief Jibril Rajoub told The Associated Press that he had been informed of Arafat's decision. However, Gaza police chief Ghazi Jibali insisted the reports were just "rumors."
Rajoub is one of the most powerful figures in the West Bank but has had a falling-out with Arafat. During a previous incursion into the West Bank, Israeli forces destroyed Rajoub's headquarters, and he ordered the men inside to surrender, losing face among many Palestinians.
Arafat has been under pressure to reform his security services. Israel and the U.S. have insisted that he must streamline the agencies and turn them toward preventing terror attacks against Israel.
When he reshuffled his Cabinet last month, Arafat named Gen. Abdel Razak Yihiyeh as interior minister, in charge of the security services, a post Arafat had held before.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires 02-07-02
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