Palestinian militants pressed Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie on Saturday to assign them decision-making powers in a temporary unified leadership they say should be created if critically ill President Yasser Arafat dies. Militant leaders, seen as political rivals to the governing Palestinian Authority, said Qurie had ‘‘agreed in principle’’ to their demand, but there was no confirmation from the PM himself. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said Qurie had promised to ‘‘look into (how) to implement” the idea. Meanwhile, Arafat’s aid Nabil Abu Rdainah, said: ‘‘The doctors say his condition is not irreversible. He is still in a critical condition,’’ he said. Meanwhile, Arafat in his last political will — the copies which he gave to his wife Suha and cousin Nasser Al-Kidwa — is said to have suggested that the head of the PLO politburo, Farouk Kadoumi, based in Tunis, succeed him. Arafat is said to have mentioned that Kadoumi will accept PLO chairman’s post but will not serve as leader of the Palestinian Authority.
