M A I N   N E W S

Palestinian President sacks govt

Ramallah, June 14
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas today declared a state of emergency, fired Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, dismantled the Hamas-Fatah coalition saying he would form a new government.

Abbas was also considering early elections at some stage, said his aide Tayeb Abdel Rahim in a news conference. Abdel Rahim said Abbas may “return to the people” when circumstances allow.

Other aides had said Abbas was also planning to call for the deployment of a multi-national force.

However, Abdel Rahim made no mention of that in the news conference. The next parliamentary elections are scheduled for 2010 and Presidential elections are set for 2009.

“We are declaring a state of emergency in all the lands of the Palestinian Authority ... and establishing a government authorised with implementing the regulations and instructions of the state of emergency,” Abdel-Rahim said.

Abbas had already informed the USA, Egypt and Jordan of his decision, his aides said. — AP