The US State Department has welcomed a deal that will allow formation of a new Palestinian government.
Spokesman Richard Boucher says the United States will reveal details of a so-called roadmap for Middle East peace once the Palestinian parliament approves the list of new cabinet members, which could come in a few days.
The Bush Administration has tied release of the peace plan to the installation of a new Palestinian government with a strong prime minister. The roadmap -- which was prepared jointly by the United States, Russia, the United Nations and the European Union -- envisions a Palestinian state and final peace deal with Israel by 2005.
Mr. Boucher made his comments soon after Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and his prime minister designate, Mahmoud Abbas, resolved a bitter dispute over who would serve as Palestinian security chief.
The deadlock ended when the Palestinian leader agreed to accept Mohammed Dahlan in the post. Mr. Dahlan is considered one of the few Palestinians capable of cracking down on Palestinian militants who oppose any peace deal with Israel. Mr. Abbas will also serve as interior minister.
Egyptian intelligence minister Omar Suleiman traveled to the West Bank city of Ramallah today (Wednesday) and led the parties through last-minute negotiations that resulted in the deal. The two sides had been facing a midnight deadline for Mr. Abbas to submit a list proposed cabinet members.
Mr. Abbas is seen as a supporter of a peaceful settlement to the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He has criticized the current armed uprising against Israel, calling for more peaceful means of protest.
The proposed security chief, Mr. Dahlan, is considered one of the few Palestinians capable of cracking down on Palestinian militants who oppose any peace deal with Israel.
The Palestinian militant group Hamas has warned the new government not to try to weaken or disarm Palestinian fighters.