30/05/2014 10:26
Abbas asks PM Rami Hamdallah to head Fatah-Hamas unity cabinet
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has asked his current prime minister to form a transitional government involving rivals Fatah and Hamas, the BBC reported.
He wished Rami Hamdallah, a British-educated, politically independent academic, luck in his "difficult task."
Fatah and Hamas split violently in 2007 but announced a reconciliation deal last month.
The two sides have yet to publish a list of ministers drawn from independent technocrats.
Reports suggest neither faction agrees on the choice of foreign minister.
Fatah governs in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank while Hamas - which has refused to recognise Israel - holds sway in the Gaza Strip.
"This letter designates Doctor Rami Hamdallah to form a new transitional government. I wish him luck in this difficult task which he will undertake," Mr Abbas said with the prime minister at his side.