Arafat retains control of security forces

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat will retain control of security forces and peace negotiations even after his deputy, Mahmoud Abbas, is appointed Prime Minister, a senior Palestinian official said yesterday.

Israel and the United States have insisted that Arafat hand over authority to a powerful Prime Minister, retaining only a ceremonial role for himself. The two countries have banned their officials from meeting Arafat, charging that he has not done enough to stop Palestinian violence.

But the Palestinian official said Arafat would remain the supreme commander of security forces and retain the final word on peace talks.

The Palestinian legislature will meet today in Ramallah to create the new post, delineate its powers and choose Abbas.