RAMALLAH, West Bank ? Yasser Arafat fought with his new prime minister Saturday over who should be the new Palestinian security chief, in a deepening dispute that threatens to bring down the government appointed less than a week ago.

In an argument with Arafat two days ago, Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia hinted he might step down, a possibility that appeared more likely as their fight continued into the night Saturday. As it stands now, Qureia’s Cabinet, which Arafat appointed by decree Oct. 5, will serve for one month as planned.

“We have a crisis but we are still trying to work it out,” Palestinian Cabinet Minister Saeb Erekat said.

Meanwhile, battles continued for a second day in the Rafah refugee camp in Gaza, where Israeli troops were searching for weapons-smuggling tunnels. One Palestinian was killed Saturday, and local residents reported dozens of houses were destroyed.

The argument between Arafat and Qureia centered on the appointment of Nasser Yousef as interior minister, a position that would make him the head of the Palestinian security forces. Arafat’s refusal to give up full control of those forces led Mahmoud Abbas to resign as prime minister last month after only four months.