Jerusalem, May 16: In a sign of internal political divisions within the new Palestinian administration, senior Palestinian minister responsible for overseeing negotiations with Israel, Saeb Erakat, has resigned. Erakat has sent his resignation to Palestinian authority chairman Yasser Arafat and Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, according to Palestinian sources. Arafat, however, has reportedly asked Erakat to delay his resignation. Though no reason for the resignation has been given, there is speculation in Palestinian circles that Erakat was unhappy over the decision not to include him in the Palestinian delegation that is to meet Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon tomorrow, the first official Palestinian-Israeli contact since September 2000. While Palestinian security minister Mohammed Dahlan and Palestinian legislative council chairman Abu Ala will be part of the delegation, Erakat was not invited to join

Palestinian sources said that Erakat, who handed in his resignation last night, cited his dissatisfaction with the way diplomatic contacts with Israel were being handled.

Israeli media quoted Erakat as saying that the delegation, that would meet Sharon, did not faithfully represent the internal Palestinian leadership.

Erakat has been a leading Palestinian negotiator with Israel for the last 10 years and his resignation has come at a time when US and Israel are trying to sideline Arafat and strengthen Abbas.

Bureau Report