New premier builds PA emergency gov't

Barely formed, the Palestinian emergency government put forward by newly appointed Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad already enjoys overwhelming support, as the Arab-League, the European Union and Quartet all pledge to stand by it.

Fayyad is to present it to President Mahmoud Abbas for approval later Saturday, an Abbas aide said.

Prior to his appointment to prime minister by Abbas, Fayyad was the finance minister in the unity government until it was disbanded. If Abbas gives his blessing, the new Cabinet is to be sworn in Saturday evening, the aide said.

The United States, Israel and European states are preparing to ease sanctions in the West Bank to try to bolster the emergency government, with an American envoying going so far as to announce this formally Saturday. 

US Consul-General Jacob Walles said the US plans to lift a ban on direct aid to the emergency government, adding,  "I think ... there won't be any obstacles, economically and politically, in terms of reengaging with this government. Yes, they will have full support."

Arab League leaders also expressed support for a new Abbas-led government, but were more guarded. “We are supporting President Abbas and we are supporting the elected Legislative Assembly (parliament),” Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa told a news conference.  

The Quartet of Middle East peace mediators – the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations – voiced support for Abbas and concern about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

The Quartet also called for respect for the human rights of all those in Gaza and for the safety and security of international workers and further called for an urgent end to the violence.

The mediators expressed their understanding and support for President Abbas' decisions to dissolve the cabinet and declare an emergency, given the grave circumstances, and noted the Quartet's continuing support for other legitimate Palestinian institutions.

Abbas ordered the Hamas-led government disbanded on Thursday after the Islamist group's bloody takeover of the Gaza Strip.  On Friday, he appointed Fayyad as prime minister.  The latter immediately began consultations on with Palestinian leaders on the make-up of his cabinet, officials said.

Hamas leaders, among them politburo chief Khaled Mashaal, expressed condemnation of Abbas’ announcement of the establishment of an emergency government, saying it was against the law.

“There is no such thing as an emergency government in the law, and the step he made is not helping mend the rift, it’s a sad move that has created a situation of one government in the West Bank and one in the Gaza Strip,” Mashaal said.

Deposed prime minister Ismail Haniyeh refused to accept his dismissal.  Despite statements by Earlier Abbas adviser Yasser Abed Rabbo that the president will not engage in a dialogue with "killers" from Hamas, Haniyeh claimed he would work towards Palestinian unity.

"The government will begin a process of general appeasement and preserve its relationship with Arab nations, as well as other Palestinian factions.  We will preserve the unity government and its principles, and cooperate with anyone who is willing," he said. 

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke with newly appointed Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Saturday and assured him of the EU's support.

Fayyad "underlined that the emergency government would do everything to achieve quickly a calming of the situation," German Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger said in a statement.

Steinmeier "assured Fayyad of the EU's support" and suggested a meeting "as soon as conditions allow," Jaeger added. 

Reuters and AP contributed to this report