Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on Saturday accepted Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas's resignation, well-informed official sources told Xinhua.

"Arafat has accepted the resignation and asked (Abbas) to run a caretaker cabinet until a new cabinet is formed," the sources said.  

Abbas tendered his resignation in a letter to Arafat at midday on Saturday ahead of a session of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).

Abbas's move is widely viewed as Abbas's final play of pressure to win more authority from Arafat and gain support from the legislators and a heavy blow to a US-sponsored roadmap plan for Mideast peace.

Hardline Palestinian group Hamas said the infighting between Abbas and Arafat will harm the national interests of the Palestinian people.

Hamas spokesman Abdel Aziz al-Ranteesi said that the disputes will only help Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to "practice more terrorism against our people."

He said that if Abbas's departure brings another similar premier, it will be another disaster for the Palestinian people.  

"The Palestinians are seeking a prime minister to work for the liberation of our lands and people instead of forming ministries and governments."

(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2003)