Jerusalem: Arafat's new selection as Palestine Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia on September 8 called upon US and Israel to "change their attitude" towards the veteran Palestine leader, saying he would not accept the post unless guaranteed of American and European support for peacemaking.

Qureia, who is currently the Speaker of the Palestine Legislative Council, said he had not yet decided finally whether or not to accept the position, media reports said.

He said that he wants to first make sure that the United States and Israel "change their attitude" to PLO leader Yasser Arafat. He will not enter into a position that is a known failure ahead of time, Israel national news reported.

Popularly known as Abu Ala, Qureia said he would like to see the possibility of peace with Israel before accepting the post as Palestinian Prime Minister. He said that he first wanted to make sure the guarantee of American and European support for peacemaking before accepting the post, the daily 'Ha'aretz' quoted him as saying.

Arafat's decision to appoint Qureia as the next Prime Minister comes less than 48 hours after the resignation of Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, who on September 7 said that his resignation was final, the daily said in a report.

Qureia had agreed in principle to his appointment as Prime Minister, 'Ha'aretz' quoted his close aides telling the Israel radio.

Qureia, 65, is a moderate who helped broker the 1993 Oslo accords between Israel and the PLO.

PTI