Hamas rejects appointment of new Palestinian govt

Hamas has slammed it as illegal; Israel says it is a new opportunity for the peace process. President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah has sworn in a new government to replace the one led by Hamas, which has taken control in Gaza. Salam Fayyad has taken up the post of prime minister.

He said the people in Gaza were “in their hearts and a priority”. He also said people should “remain united”, and “the dark images of suffering and shame were far from Palestinian traditions and its struggle”.

Abbas has scrapped a law that requires the new government to be approved by parliament, which is dominated by Ismail Haniyeh’s Hamas.

Hamas took control of Gaza after heavy fighting with Fatah militants.

A spokesman for the Islamist group, Fawzi Barhoum, said:

“We consider this emergency government is not legitimate and is not dependent upon the law and it’s against the constitution.”

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