Palestinian parliament speaker Ahmed Qureia, tapped as the new prime minister, said Monday he will only accept the job if Washington guarantees Israeli compliance with a U.S.-backed peace plan, including a halt to military strikes.

Qureia told The Associated Press he does not want to set himself up for failure, an apparent reference to outgoing Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, who resigned over the weekend after just four months in office that were marred by wrangling with veteran leader Yasser Arafat.

However, sources close to Qureia said he has agreed in principle to take the job, and that his formal acceptance is expected in coming days. Qureia met with U.S., Russian and Egyptian diplomats Monday, discussing his requests and the possible composition of a new government.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Israel-Palestinians.html?pagewanted=print&position=