Palestinian Authority Chairman and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas has dismissed intelligence chief Tawfiq Tirawi in an apparent move to appease Hamas as a step towards a new unity government. The PA announced that Tirwai will join the cabinet and will head the
Arab sources said that he knew of the decision ahead of time, and a PA military advisor explained that his term of office is about to end. His probable replacement is Sameh Abd Al-Majid, who was involved in a power struggle for the position five years when Yasser Arafat tried to put him in charge of intelligence in place of Tirawi.
Tirawi, as head of PA intelligence, was close to Arafat and was directly involved in organizing and financing terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Documents found by the IDF revealed that his office "had prior information about the cell [that] carried out the assassination of the late Minister [Rechavam] Ze'evi, and did nothing to prevent it."
The Associated Press reported that "his removal is not being viewed as a gesture to Hamas but rather a result of professional rivalries." Chinese news agency Xinhua also quoted sources that said that the move had nothing to do with Hamas's demands.
However, the International Middle East MediaCenter (IMEMC), which collaborates with journalists to provide media coverage, stated that the move was made "to appease Hamas [and] build confidence among supporters of the Islamic movement Hamas."
It explained that Tirawi had headed a campaign to arrest Hamas terrorists and members.
Conciliation between Hamas and Abbas, head of the Fatah party, is intended to pave the way for international recognition that would allow foreign aid to pour into
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert previously has vowed to break off negotiations with Abbas if he were to attempt to reach a unity agreement, but he has continued to meet with the PA Chairman. The two are set to meet next week for what is being announced by Abbas as a "final meeting" before the Prime Minister is replaced,