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New Palestinian cabinet sworn in New Palestinian cabinet sworn in
(40 minutes later)
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has sworn in a new emergency government that excludes his Islamist rivals, Hamas, who have seized control of Gaza.Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has sworn in a new emergency government that excludes his Islamist rivals, Hamas, who have seized control of Gaza.
Mr Abbas issued a decree on Saturday night enabling new Prime Minister Salam Fayyad to rule without the approval of the Hamas-dominated parliament. Mr Abbas also issued decrees enabling new Prime Minister Salam Fayyad to rule without parliamentary approval and outlawing all of Hamas's armed forces.
Mr Fayyad's predecessor, Ismail Haniya, has said the new government is illegal.Mr Fayyad's predecessor, Ismail Haniya, has said the new government is illegal.
Israel's government said a non-Hamas administration would create a fresh opportunity for a partnership in peace.Israel's government said a non-Hamas administration would create a fresh opportunity for a partnership in peace.
The US has also said there will be no obstacles to re-engaging with the new Palestinian government.The US has also said there will be no obstacles to re-engaging with the new Palestinian government.
HAVE YOUR SAY Fatah seems to be corrupt but I doubt Hamas is any better, especially with their religious agenda Sassan, Munich Send us your comments Mr Abbas sacked Mr Haniya, a Hamas leader, on Thursday after factional fighting left more than 100 people dead in Gaza. HAVE YOUR SAY Fatah seems to be corrupt but I doubt Hamas is any better, especially with their religious agenda Sassan, Munich Send us your comments
Mr Abbas sacked Mr Haniya, a Hamas leader, on Thursday after factional fighting left more than 100 people dead in Gaza.
Shortly afterwards, the Hamas movement said it had taken over full control of Gaza, as its gunmen ransacked Fatah offices and arrested or killed its fighters.Shortly afterwards, the Hamas movement said it had taken over full control of Gaza, as its gunmen ransacked Fatah offices and arrested or killed its fighters.
'Dishonourable events''Dishonourable events'
The new government took the oath of office before Mr Abbas, the leader of Fatah, in the presidential compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah.The new government took the oath of office before Mr Abbas, the leader of Fatah, in the presidential compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
SALAM FAYYAD Born in 1952 near West Bank city of TulkarmHolds a PhD in economics from the University of TexasWorked at the World Bank in Washington from 1987-1995IMF representative to Palestine until 2001Finance minister under the Fatah-controlled administration from 2002-2005Credited with cracking down on official corruption Profile: Salam FayyadSALAM FAYYAD Born in 1952 near West Bank city of TulkarmHolds a PhD in economics from the University of TexasWorked at the World Bank in Washington from 1987-1995IMF representative to Palestine until 2001Finance minister under the Fatah-controlled administration from 2002-2005Credited with cracking down on official corruption Profile: Salam Fayyad
Mr Fayyad, an independent who served as finance minister in the previous administration, pledged to protect the interests of the Palestinian people.Mr Fayyad, an independent who served as finance minister in the previous administration, pledged to protect the interests of the Palestinian people.
"I swear by God that I will be faithful to the homeland and its sanctities, to the people and its national heritage, to respect the constitution and the law, and to fully protect the interests of the Palestinian people," he said."I swear by God that I will be faithful to the homeland and its sanctities, to the people and its national heritage, to respect the constitution and the law, and to fully protect the interests of the Palestinian people," he said.
The former World Bank official is well respected by the international community for his past efforts in combating corruption and promoting transparency.The former World Bank official is well respected by the international community for his past efforts in combating corruption and promoting transparency.
After the ceremony, Mr Fayyad called for unity within the Palestinian Territories.After the ceremony, Mr Fayyad called for unity within the Palestinian Territories.
"We insist on organic unity, both administrative and political, of the two parts of the homeland - the Gaza Strip and the West Bank," he said."We insist on organic unity, both administrative and political, of the two parts of the homeland - the Gaza Strip and the West Bank," he said.
He also said his cabinet would work to "put an end to the anomaly of the dishonourable events", referring to Hamas taking control of Gaza.He also said his cabinet would work to "put an end to the anomaly of the dishonourable events", referring to Hamas taking control of Gaza.
Hamas 'militias' banned
As the power struggle continued, Mr Abbas announced a series of emergency measures to reassert his authority.
Q&A: Gaza chaos How Hamas took over
The first decree allowed him to swear in the new cabinet and gave it the power to make decisions without the approval of parliament, in which Hamas has a majority.
A second decree outlawed a Hamas paramilitary force, the Executive Force, and other "militias" linked to the group.
"The Executive Force and Hamas militias are declared outside the law for having carried out an armed rebellion against Palestinian legitimacy and its institutions," it said.
"Anyone whose ties with these groups are proven will be punished in accordance with the laws under the state of emergency."
A spokesman for the Islamist movement said the president was "involved in the US-Israeli conspiracy, along with some Arab parties, to bring down the Hamas movement".
"Hamas as a movement has ties and roots to the hearts of the Palestinians, and the resistance will continue and cannot be stopped," Sami Abu Zuhri told the Associated Press.