The former preventative security chief for the Gaza Strip, Dahlan is one of the youngest Palestinian leaders.

He has the confidence of the United States and is someone the Israelis feel they can do business with.

Dahlan, the man agreed as the Palestinian Authority's minister of state for security, was until recently one of the most powerful Palestinians.

Arafat had opposed his selection but Mahmoud Abbas secured his nomination.

He was part of the Palestinian delegation at the Camp David peace talks in the summer of 2000.

Photograph: PPO via Getty Images and AFP/Getty Images