"If Arafat wants to appease the critics, he will appoint somebody with sufficient power to act independently," said Palestinian political analyst Khalil Shikaki.

"The PM's office will be real and strong or else the critics will be even angrier with him," he added.

Shikaki said the "only viable prime minister is Abu Mazen," referring to the 64-year-old Palestine Liberation Organization second-in-command Mahmud Abbas.

He said that Abbas, owing to his high position within the PLO and his role in co-founder Arafat's Fatah party, is a "strong man -- anybody else would have too many bosses to answer to."

But he also warned that "Abu Mazen -- like everybody else, except for Marwan Barghuti -- has no popular base."

The appointment of the charismatic Barghuti -- who is credited with being the main inspiration behind the ongoing Palestinian uprising, the intifada -- is ruled out. He was arrested by Israel last spring and is now being tried in a Tel Aviv court, where he faces various counts of murder in connection with attacks by Palestinian activists.

Abu Mazen argued early in his political career for political dialogue with the Israelis when many other Palestinians still advocated armed struggle.

More recently, he criticized the militarization of the intifada that erupted in late September 2000, urging his fellow Palestinians to opt for peaceful resistance against Israel.

His stance was not welcomed by hardline groups and most Palestinians alike who, as repeatedly shown in public opinion surveys, support the continuation of the uprising, including suicide bombings inside Israel.

Abbas was also quoted as saying that important reforms of the Palestinian Authority's political and security sectors should not be rejected just because they are being implemented under United States pressure.

A Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the names of Finance Minister Salam Fayad and Interior Minister Hani al-Hassan were also being circulated as possible appointees.

"Salam Fayad is Europe's and the United States' favorite candidate. He is credible and corruption-free," he said.

"But Arafat's choice depends on whether he wants a partner or somebody he can manipulate.

"Fayad would be ideal for everybody as he is not interested in running political affairs but only economic and financial matters, which in turn would allow Arafat to stay politically in control," the diplomat added.

Fayad, 50, is a technocrat who has worked for the world's two leading monetary institutions, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

His appointment as finance minister was hailed by Western powers and Israel, owing to his excellent technical record and commitment to streamline the Palestinian Authority's accounts.

Hani al-Hassan, 63, a newcomer in the Palestinian Authority but a long-serving Fatah member, is considered a political fixer upon whom Arafat can depend in times of trouble.

A firm proponent of negotiations with Israel and a critic of attacks against Israeli civilians, he has often served as a go-between in high-stakes diplomatic negotiations.

However, Al-Hassan is not well known on the domestic political scene.

Palestinian analyst Ziad Abu Amr warned against speculating on Arafat's choice for a prime minister, which he believes "should be put to the Palestinian Legislative Council's vote once Arafat has clearly identified his responsibilities."

(China Daily February 17, 2003)