Abbas to Swear In Emergency Palestinian Government

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected110 Palestinians.
to swear in a new prime minister and emergencyMeanwhile, witnesses say Fatah gunmen stormed
cabinet Saturday, replacing the Hamas-ledHamas-controlled institutions in the West Bank,
government he fired after the group's bloodyincluding the parliament building in Ramallah. There
takeover of the Gaza Strip.are no immedate reports of casualties.
Mr. Abbas of the Fatah faction, who is in theFriday, world powers and neighboring Arab states
West Bank, appointed former Finance Ministervoiced their support for Mr. Abbas.
Salam Fayyad as the new prime minister Friday,Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal, who lives in Syria,
after dismissing Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas.said his group still recognizes Mr. Abbas as
But Mr. Haniyeh has ignored his dismissal and saidPalestinian president and is ready to work with
his government will continue to exercise its duties.him "in the national interest."
He called for calm and unity following a week ofSome information for this report was provided by
fighting between Hamas and Fatah that has killedAP and Reuters.