Abbas declares state of emergency, fires Haniyeh

[oberliner]

Palestinian Chairman Mahmoud Abbas decided Thursday to declare a state emergency, following Hamas' almost-complete takeover in Gaza, and to dismantle the Hamas-Fatah coalition government, his aides said.

Abbas also intends to call for the deployment of a multi-national force in Gaza and plans to appoint an independent politician as the new Palestinian prime minister, to replace Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, the aides said.

The decisions are to be announced in a news conference by a top Abbas aide, Tayeb Abdel Rahim, at Abbas' headquarters at 9 p.m. (1800 gmt), the aides said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters on the issue.

Abbas has already informed the U.S., Egypt and Jordan of his decision, the aides said.

http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/871146.html

[Scurrilous]

1. Haniyeh: Gov't will continue functioning normally

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh ignores President Abbas' decision to dissolve unity government; 'Abbas' decision was hasty and he didn't fully consider its consequences,' Haniyeh says

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3413184,00.html

<snip>

"Deposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh rejected President Mahmoud Abbas' decision Thursday to dissolve the PA coalition government and declared that his government would continue functioning normally.
At a late-night press conference, Haniyeh said, "The Hamas' presence in the government is the decision of the Palestinian people. Unilateral decisions, made without cooperation or coordination, do not suit the current situation," Haniyeh said.

"Therefore, the present government will continue operating and will not give up its position and responsibility towards the Palestinian people," he said.

"Abbas' decision was hasty, and it seems his advisors did not fully consider its consequences," he added.

Haniyeh also sent a message of appeasement and called on Hamas members to have mercy on the Fatah members being held as prisoners. He promised to "continue to act toward imposing order in the Gaza Strip and protecting public property."

[barb162]

2. " 'Abbas' decision was hasty.... " Hasty?

Maybe he expected Abbas to wait a few more months.