New Palestinian govt to be formed ‘in days’, may exclude Hamas supporters

Palestinian Prime Minister-designate Mohammad Shtayyeh will announce the make-up of his new government in the coming days, Palestinian officials said Monday. Shtayyeh has until April 14 to form a new government, which is expected to exclude all supporters of Hamas, AFP reported. Hamas is longtime rival to the Fatah movement of both Shtayyeh and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Real decision-making power remains with 84-year-old Abbas, in power since 2005, according to analysts. Abbas on March 10 charged Shtayyeh with forming the new government, replacing Rami Hamdallah’s technocratic administration which had the nominal backing of Hamas.