Fayyad’s resignation ends tension with Abbas
Find new Palestinian PM who can work with US: Kerry
RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories, April 14, (Agencies): Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad resigned late on Saturday, ending months of rising tension with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, despite US efforts to keep him in place.
The resignation of the US-educated economist, who won broad international acclaim for his state-building efforts since becoming premier in 2007, comes just days after Washington made a fresh push to revive long-dormant peace talks.
Rumours that Fayyad would either resign or be told to step down by Abbas have been rife in recent weeks after long-standing differences between the two came to a head over the finance portfolio.
Abbas accepted Fayyad’s resignation at a brief meeting at the Muqataa presidential compound in Ramallah, but officials said he had asked the 61-year-old to stay on in a caretaker role until a new premier can be appointed.
Fayyad, a political independent, had come under increasing criticism as the Palestinian Authority lives through its worst-ever financial crisis, with Abbas’s ruling Fatah movement openly deriding his economic policies as “confused”.
Long-running tensions between Fayyad and Abbas came to a head six weeks ago over the resignation of finance minister Nabil Qassis, with Fayyad accepting it while Abbas did not.
Fayyad himself was finance minister for five years from 2002, and after being appointed premier in 2007, he continued to hold both portfolios until Qassis took over in May 2012.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Sunday he hoped the Palestinians pick a new prime minister who can work with the United States and “establish confidence” so that Mideast peace can advance.
Speaking to journalists in Tokyo, Kerry praised Fayyad, as prime minister was seen as one of the Palestinians’ most moderate and respected figures. Kerry called Fayyad a “good friend” who made a big difference for Palestinians.
Fayyad’s resignation comes as Kerry is working to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. An important part of his strategy is developing the Palestinian economy and state institutions so the Palestinians can be a viable partner in any peace deal with Israel.
The United States had expected Fayyad to play a significant role in that effort.