Palestinian President Yasser Arafat said on Saturday he would accept any government changes proposed by his prime minister, as militants demanding anti-corruption reforms kept up a campaign of unrest.

Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie, widely viewed as a moderate voice in the Palestinian Authority, has led calls for reform and submitted his resignation to Arafat last week over the issue.

"I accept anything he presents and I have high confidence in him," Arafat, who has rejected Qurie's resignation, told reporters in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Arafat, who dismissed reports of problems between Qurie and himself, said he also welcomed a proposal by Palestinian lawmakers to replace some ministers.

Pressure has mounted on the veteran Palestinian leader since gunmen sparked chaos in Gaza late last week by kidnapping a number of Palestinian officials and foreigners and demanding Arafat reform his Palestinian Authority and security forces.

A power struggle has been brewing in Gaza in anticipation of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw troops and settlers from the occupied territory by the end of 2005.

Source: CD/Agencies