RAMALLAH, Dec. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei's chief of staff Hassan Abu Lebda on Thursday denied reports that the Palestinian cabinet is to be reshuffled.

    Lebda told reporters that the reports were unfounded and surprising as the Jan. 9 presidential election draws near.

    On Wednesday, Palestinian official sources were quoted by local media as saying six cabinet ministers were to replaced in a new government.

    They said the current foreign minister Nabil Shaath would be replaced by the Palestinian envoy to the United Nations and late leader Yasser Arafat's nephew Nasser al-Qidwa. Enditem