GAZA, June 3 (Xinhuanet) -- Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat intends to designate one of his close aides as new interior minister in order to remain close to the security apparatuses, official sources said.

    Egypt has proposed to reduce the number of Palestinian security apparatuses to three, as well as handing over one of these apparatuses to Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei, the sources said.

    Arafat is waiting for the Israeli government's approval on ArielSharon's evacuation plan from the Gaza Strip in order to start implementing the Egyptian proposals, they said.

    "Arafat is still reluctant to give up his security competence and he is confident that Sharon will fail in earning his cabinet's approval this Sunday," they said.

    The Israeli government is due to discuss Sharon's unilateral disengagement plan Sunday after two delays, and Israeli Foreign minister Sylvan Shalom will visit Egypt next Monday to discuss Egypt's role in post-evacuation Gaza. Enditem