In a rare criticism of one Arab leader by another, Jordan’s King Abdullah publicly questioned whether Yasser Arafat should continue to lead the Palestinian people. In an interview published yesterday in the New York Times, Abdullah said,

I think Arafat needs to have a long look in the mirror to be able to see whether his position is helping the Palestinian cause or not.

I know that there are discussions inside the Palestinian leadership of this idea of him becoming president and giving the prime minister more authority.

If this allows the Palestinians to get beyond the obstacle that they are facing now with the United States and Israel, then that's something the Palestinians need to sort out and sort out quickly.

Remember that Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas tendered his resignation to Arafat in September 2003. Abbas wanted “more authority,” especially over the Palestinian Authority’s security forces. Arafat pushed him out. Will Arafat ever give up control?

Jordanian government officials are already trying to back off from the King’s statements. According to the BBC,

King Abdullah's comments appeared to provide a rare indication of Arab leaders' frustration with Mr Arafat. Royal officials said late on Tuesday that the quote was "inaccurate".

"News agency reports of a New York Times interview quoting King Abdullah II calling on Yasser Arafat to look into the possibility of abdicating are inaccurate," a [Jordanian] court official told the AFP news agency.

"His majesty did not mention the issue of abdication, by near or by far... this is an issue that concerns the Palestinians alone. Jordan does not interfere in other people's affairs."

Too late, the cat’s out of the bag. Arafat must go. Even Arab leaders know it.