Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Korei has officially retracted his resignation today to end a two-week stand-off with President Yasser Arafat .
"The president refused my resignation and I will comply," Mr Korei said in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
The two men emerged from a meeting kissing each other on the cheeks and clasping and holding up their hands together.
Mr Korei's resignation two weeks ago coincided with a wave of kidnappings, riots and calls for reform that plunged Palestinian politics into turmoil. However, he denied he had been given stronger influence, particularly over security matters in the territories.
"I'm not going to bargain with the president about authority over the security branches. We have enough powers over them as it stands."
Mr Korei's decision to remain in office ends the stalemate that called into question Mr Arafat 's ability to rein in dissident elements of his ruling Fatah movement.
Fatah rebels had called for an overhaul of the Palestinian security forces, including the replacement of Mr Arafat 's disliked cousin, Mr Moussa Arafat, as head of security in the Gaza Strip.
Agencies