In an unprecedented move, the Palestinian legislative council -- set up less than a year ago -- has voted to suspend its work for a week in protest at the failure of the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, to sign most of the legislation it has passed.

The BBC Jerusalem correspondent says council members have waited months for him to sign key legislation, including the basic law establishing the council's powers.

This has caused mounting anger and frustration.

One member Marwan Barghouti said there was now a real crisis between the legislature and the Palestinian authority led by Mr Arafat; if Mr Arafat failed to act, there would be a motion of no-confidence in the government.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
 

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