© Mahmud Hams/AFP
Palestinian PM Rami Hamdallah arrives in Gaza City March 13, 2008 prior to an explosion near his convoy.
Palestinian PM Rami Hamdallah arrives in Gaza City March 13, 2008 prior to an explosion near his convoy.
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah officially submitted his resignation on Tuesday, after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas reportedly requested the move over the weekend.
During the weekly cabinet session, Hamdallah said the entire government had given its resignation, and was at "the disposal of the President." The cabinet would "continue to perform its duties and serve our people, and carry out all responsibilities until the formation of a new government," the prime minister said on twitter.
"We express our confidence in the success of the efforts to form a new government that will be able to meet the citizens demands, restore national unity, end political division, and lead our people to the path of freedom and independence."During a visit to the southern West Bank city of Hebron on Monday, the premier had denied a new government was an attempt to squeeze Hamas. "We hope that all Palestinian factions will participate in this (new) government and I appeal to the Hamas movement to participate," he said. Fatah Central Committee member supported the claim on Monday night. "There is no veto on Hamas' participation," Azzam al-Hamad told Palestinian media. The Islamist movement Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, is not part of the PLO.
Fatah's central committee made recommendations to Abbas to dissolve the government last week, and welcomed the prime minister's declaration.
Comment: Something out of nothing is a lot of nothing.