Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
Photo: AFP
Abbas weighing dissolution of Hamas gov't
Senior Palestinian source tells Ynet president considering dissolution of Hamas-led government should security situation continue to deteriorate
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is considering to dissolving the Hamas-led government should the security situation deteriorate ahead of his proposed referendum over a peace plan calling for the implicit recognition of Israel, a senior Palestinian official told Ynet.
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In a last-ditch effort to prevent further escalations, Abbas will head to the Gaza Strip on Tuesday for talks with Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh to discuss a proposal by faction leaders jailed in Israel calling for peace with Israel.
Should this round of talks fail, Abbas will suspend the Hamas government and declare a state of emergency.
"But if the rais (president) sees there is no progress in talks and that the situation continues to deteriorate, he will take the inevitable step of declaring a state of emergency, disbanding the government and setting up an emergency government to manage the Palestinian Authority until after the referendum," the official said.
'PA security forces will do a good job'
The official added that Abbas will most likely take the drastic measures shortly before the referendum of June 26, and that his aides have consulted with Egypt, Jordan and members of the Quartet of Middle East peace brokers – the United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia- on the plan.
The officials ruled out the possibility that the dissolution of the Hamas-led government will spark off violent clashes between the Islamic group and its Fatah rival, saying PA security forces will do a good job in maintaining peace and order.
