Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie offer of a ceasefire in the Middle East conflict has been rejected by an Israeli minister.
In an interview published today by Israeli newspaper Ma'ariv, Mr Qurie said he wanted to work with the Israeli government to halt the "continued deterioration" into violence.
Just one day after being sworn in as a successor to Mr Mahmoud Abbas, Mr Qurie called for immediate talks aimed at progressing the stalled internationally-backed "road map" peace plan.
"We are ready to fulfill our obligations as outlined by the road map on the condition that Israel fulfills its obligations as well," Mr Qurie said.
The road map sets out steps to end three years of violence and establish a Palestinian state by 2005.
It requires the Palestinians to rein in Islamic militants who have killed hundreds of Israelis in suicide bombings and Israel has to halt construction at Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
But Israeli Labour Minister Mr Zevulun Orlev reitarated Israel's objections to a ceasefire.
"Israel does not have to give him a chance. He needs to prove himself through action and not through pleasant words," said Mr Orlev, a member of the right-wing National Religious Party.
"We will see how he fights the terror infrastructure," he said, referring to Islamic militant groups.
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat swore in the emergency cabinet yesterday with Mr Qurie at its head. He also declared a state of emergency was descalred in the Palestinian Territories on Sunday after Israeli ministers renewed calls to "remove" him following a suicide bombing that killed 19 people in Israel.