"We are not interfering in (Israel's) internal affairs, and we are ready to deal with anyone who is elected. Our hands will be extended to any Israeli leader prepared to negotiate," Arafat told reporters.

The call came after the dovish mayor of Haifa won the Labor chairmanship Tuesday night and said he would give priority to peace with Palestinians once in power.

He vowed to reverse Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's hardline course by withdrawing unilaterally from the Gaza Strip and negotiating with the Palestinians if elected prime minister.

Mitzna, as Labor chairman and the party's prime ministerial candidate, will compete with the winner of the rival Likud party in the early elections slated for Jan. 28, 2003.

On Tuesday night, Palestinian Legislative Council Speaker Ahmed Qurei said Mitzna "has succeeded in short time on the political scene and has delivered clear and important messages on the need toset up a true peace."

"Mitzna's statement calling for the evacuation of Israeli settlements in the territories testifies to a real desire to achieve peace," he added.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a top aide to Arafat, said, "We are concerned to find leaders who are committed to work with us for peace."

"Therefore we welcome any Israeli leader who is going to be committed to make peace with us and work according to the signed agreements," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2002)