"This resolution was very important and I thank all the states who voted for it," the veteran leader told reporters outside his battered compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

"It shows that the position of the international community is to support Palestinian rights and stress that the Palestinians are under occupation, an occupation which does not respect any resolution, any law or humanity."

The UN General Assembly on Friday overwhelmingly passed a resolution by 133-4 votes calling on Israel not to go ahead with its threat to "remove" Arafat from the West Bank.

AP adds: The incoming Palestinian prime minister condemned President Bush's refusal to deal with Yasser Arafat, saying failure to treat the Palestinian leader as a partner only hurts peace efforts.

Prime Minister-designate Ahmed Qureia's criticism of US policy on Friday signaled that he will not challenge Arafat as did his predecessor, Mahmoud Abbas.

Abbas resigned Sept. 6, after months of wrangling with Arafat. Israel and the United States had pressed for the creation of the post of prime minister in hopes of sidelining Arafat, who they say is tainted by terror.