Abbas confirmed as Palestinian premier
The Palestinian parliament tonight confirmed Mahmoud Abbas and his Cabinet, clearing the way for the presentation of a US-backed Mideast peace plan in the coming days.
Fifty-one of the 85 MPs supported Abbas.
Eighteen MPs opposed Abbas’ proposed Cabinet, with three MPs abstaining.
President George Bush has said he would unveil the peace plan, the so-called “road map” to Palestinian statehood, once Abbas has been installed.
In a speech to MPs in the West Bank town of Ramallah, Abbas, 68, stuck to traditional Palestinian positions toward negotiations with Israel.
But he also pledged to disarm militias and enforce the rule of law. Abbas affirmed his acceptance of the road map, but said he rejects Israel’s attempts to alter the plan.
