Arafat waves to his supporters, May 10,2004.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)

    GAZA, May 10 (Xinhuanet) -- Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei announced on Monday that he would refer to the Quartet Committee asking for setting up a proper date for holding presidential and parliamentarian election in the Palestinian territories. Qurei told reporters after a joint meeting of the Palestinian cabinet and the Palestinian Council of Security in Ramallah "we are going to propose to them setting up a date in which the United States and the Quartet find it suitable."

    "We would apply such an appeal until the US Administration stops saying that there is no Palestinian partner and there is no new Palestinian leadership," said Qurei.

    He said that holding elections would be decisive, adding "itwould approve the current leadership or bring a new one, and we arefor holding elections as immediately as possible and anytime.""But we can't set up a date for a general presidential and parliamentarian elections as long as Israel occupies all the Palestinian territories which is the major obstacle to holding anyelections," said Qurei.

    Qurei clarified that the joint meeting held in Ramallah on Monday decided, "to begin with the municipal election in the towns, villages and refugee camps," adding "municipal elections would begin in August."

    He said that the first town to start with would be Jericho,adding that gradually and within one year all cities and villages would have its own municipal elections. Enditem