Prominent Palestinian MP resigns

By Alan Johnston
BBC News correspondent in Gaza

Mr Kanafani was Yasser Arafat's spokesman in the 1990s

One of the best-known figures in the Palestinian parliament, Marwan Kanafani, has resigned.

Mr Kanafani said he was stepping down in protest at law and order problems and the general lack of reform.

His criticism comes as the Palestinian leadership is preparing to cope with challenges thrown up by Israel's forthcoming withdrawal from Gaza.

Mr Kanafani was once at the heart of the Palestinian government, and acted as Yasser Arafat's spokesman.

He is no longer part of the administration, but has remained a leading parliamentarian and a respected figure.

Disunity

Explaining his decision to step down, he condemned what he said were delays in financial and administrative reforms.

But he seemed even more worried by what he described as the worsening law and order situation.

Years of violence during the Palestinian uprising have led to a proliferation of armed factions in the West Bank and Gaza, which are under Israeli occupation.

The Palestinian security forces often seem incapable of imposing order or even instilling discipline within their own ranks.

Mr Kanafani painted a picture of drift and disunity at the heart of the Palestinian political system, just weeks before Israel plans to start pulling out of Gaza.

Mr Kanafani said it would be important for the Palestinians to show the world that they are capable of governing themselves properly in the aftermath of the Israeli retreat.