The Palestinian parliament met this morning for a vote on a confidence motion in Mr Yasser Arafat's new cabinet.
The seventh term of the parliament, due to last until presidential and parliamentary polls in January, opened with deputies from Gaza again participating by video link-up.
Israeli forces prevented a dozen deputies from attending the session, accusing them of links to "terrorist activities," and the rest refused to make the journey in protest at the ban.
The session was held today in the Ramallah seat of the Palestinian Legislative Council without the participation of Mr Arafat. The session was due to vote on a confidence motion on Mr Arafat's new cabinet drafted into office after a major shake-up in May, when he responded to US and Israeli pressure for a change in his administration, charged with corruption and aiding anti-Israeli militants.
Yesterday's meeting was held in the leader's headquarters, out of fear that Israeli forces occupying Ramallah would storm the building should he leave it.
Mr Arafat condemned "all kinds of terrorism," including attacks on Israeli citizens, but stopped short of ordering a ceasefire, an omission which incurred the anger of the Israeli government.
AFP