Abbas set to name insider as Palestinian Authority PM

President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority intends to appoint Mr Mohammad Mustafa, a close economic adviser, as prime minister in the coming days, according to two Palestinian officials, a European Union diplomat and a fourth person with knowledge of the matter.

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If Mr Abbas officially appoints Mr Mustafa, it would amount to a rejection of international efforts to encourage the octogenarian Palestinian leader to empower an independent prime minister who can revitalise the sclerotic authority, officials and analysts said.

While Mr Abbas was set on appointing Mr Mustafa, a long-time insider within the authority’s top ranks, he was still holding final consultations with Arab countries before signing a presidential decree entrusting Mr Mustafa with putting together a new government, one of the Palestinian officials and the EU diplomat said.

They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to communicate with the media.

Mr Abbas could change his mind, and a decision to appoint Mr Mustafa will be final only if Mr Abbas signs a decree.

After the Palestinian Authority president appoints a prime minister, that person has three weeks to form a government but can take an additional two weeks, if needed, according to Palestinian basic law.

In late February, Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh tendered the resignation of his Cabinet, citing the need for a new government that “takes into account the emerging reality in the Gaza Strip”.

Mr Shtayyeh’s government has continued in a caretaker capacity.

Hamas led a deadly assault from Gaza into Israel on Oct 7, and Israel has answered with intense bombardment and an invasion, vowing to break the group’s grip on the enclave.