Mayor of largest West Bank city resigns to protest lawlessness in his city

[TacticalPeek]

Mayor of largest West Bank city resigns to protest lawlessness in his city

MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH, Associated Press Writer
Friday, February 27, 2004


(02-27) 17:37 PST RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) --

The mayor of the West Bank's largest city has resigned, accusing Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority on Friday of letting Nablus descend into lawlessness.

The announcement came as a major blow to Arafat as he tries to stem demands for change in his Fatah movement. The Palestinian leader agreed Friday to hold Fatah elections within a year. But disgruntled younger activists said they doubt he will keep his word.

Nablus Mayor Ghassan Shakaa told The Associated Press that he has submitted his resignation to protest what he called was the failure of Palestinian leaders and security forces to crackdown on vilolence inside Palestinian areas.

"I see my city collapsing and I don't want to stand idly by and watch this collapse," Shakaa said. "My resignation is a warning bell to the Palestinian Authority and the residents of Nablus, because both of them are doing nothing for this city."

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