Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei on Saturday discussed with the visiting European Union (EU) Foreign policy chief Javier Solana over the Palestinian presidential elections.

Qurei declared in an official statement after the meeting that the presidential elections to replace late leader Yasser Arafat would be held by Jan. 9, 2005, within 60 days after Arafat passed away according to the Palestinian constitution.

The prime minister also highlighted the European role in supporting the elections by creating a favorable atmosphere that would lead to a smooth process.

Qurei stressed that some measures should be taken in a bid to facilitate the holding of the elections including the Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian cities and villages so that the Palestinians could head for the voting centers.

Israel tightened security in the occupied Palestinian lands as road blocks and checkpoints thwarted the movement of residents.

Solana, on his part, promised the European help for the coming Palestinian elections, but cautioned that the Palestinian authorities should achieve a better situation in order that the elections could take place.

The senior EU diplomat attended the funeral ceremony of Arafat in Cairo on Friday and then paid a visit to the West Bank city of Ramallah, where Arafat was buried.

Earlier on Saturday, Qurei told reporters in Ramallah that the Palestinian leadership would meet to decide and check the exact date for the elections.

Former Palestinian Parliament Speaker Rawhi Fattouh was sworn in as temporary chairman of the Palestinian National Authority on Thursday.

He will serve as caretaker chairman for 60 days until elections are held.

Arafat, who led the Palestinians for four decades, passed away at 3:30 a.m. (0230 GMT) Thursday at a French military hospital outside Paris, where he had received medical treatment for amysterious illness since Oct. 29.

On Friday, the veteran Palestinian leader was laid to rest inhis battered headquarters compound in Ramallah, where he had been besieged by Israel for nearly three years.