Jerusalem ? Disagreements between Yasser Arafat and the newly appointed Palestinian prime minister are delaying the formation of a new Palestinian government, senior officials said Saturday.

A credible Palestinian government must be formed under Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas before a U.S.-backed “road map” peace plan calling for Palestinian statehood can be unveiled.

Israel Radio reported Israeli military and foreign ministry officials were headed Saturday to Washington to present a list of 15 points of contention.

Among their requests, Israel wants Palestinian militant groups to be destroyed before a Palestinian state can be established, and for the United States to solely administer the plan, Haaretz newspaper reported.

Arafat’s Fatah Central Committee, meanwhile, was expected to meet with the two Palestinians leaders today to resolve the disputes over three key ministries — the interior, information and welfare, the Palestinian officials said. The deadline to form the Cabinet is April 24.