Palestinian observer to the United Nations Nasser al-Kidwa said Wednesday that Palestinians and Arab nations would make representations with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan over his Middle East envoy's harsh criticism of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Al-Kidwa told reporters that a Palestinian delegation would come to New York to meet with Annan after he returns to the UN headquarters from a three-week overseas trip next week.

After that, Arab nations would send a delegation to the United Nations to talk with Annan and might ask for the removal of Terje Roed-Larsen from the post as Annan's special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, he said.

He stressed that Palestinians and Arab nations were furious about the statement of the envoy, who strongly criticized Arafat for "lack of political will" in reforming the Palestinian Authority, particularly its security forces.

But al-Kidwa denied that the Palestinian Authority has decided to bar Roed-Larsen from entering Palestinian territories.

"We haven't taken any decision yet, pending a thorough discussion with the secretary-general ... No actions will be takento prevent Mr. Larsen from entering the Palestinian territory," hesaid.

In an open briefing to the Security Council on Tuesday, Roed-Larsen said the Palestinian Authority had made no progress in reforming itself despite its consistent promises to do so.

He accused Arafat of "inaction" and warned that with the lawlessness worsening in the Palestinian areas, the Palestinian Authority "is in real danger of collapse."

The envoy also lashed out at Israel for making no progress in dismantling settlement outposts in the occupied territories and putting a complete freeze on the settlement activities.

The unusually sharp words against Arafat drew quick rebuke fromPalestinians. Arafat's political adviser Nabil Abu Rudeina said Tuesday that Roed-Larsen's statement was not objective and he was unwelcome on the Palestinian lands.

In response, Annan issued a statement through his spokesperson in New York to express his full support for Roed-Larsen.

Roed-Larsen's intention "was to convey concerns within the quartet, and more widely in the international community, regardinga lack of implementation by both parties of the roadmap obligations," the statement said.

"There is a consensus within the quartet that the Palestinian Authority must carry out its reform process, including the full empowerment of the Palestinian prime minister," it said.

The diplomatic quartet, composed of the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and Russia, drew up the "roadmap" peace plan to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Source: Xinhua