Incoming Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh announced his new cabinet on Saturday alongside president Mahmud Abbas, leaving out the movement Hamas. They say 84-year-old Abbas, in power since 2005, retains the real decision-making authority. Shtayyeh’s government replaces a technocratic administration which had the nominal backing of Hamas and all other Palestinian factions. “Despite the inclusion of technocrats and political figures from smaller left-wing factions, the new Palestinian government remains heavily stacked with supporters of President Abbas,” he said. Former government minister Shtayyeh has been part of a number of Palestinian negotiating teams in US-brokered talks with Israel that have been suspended.

Source: Pakistan Today April 13, 2019 20:03 UTC