RAMALLAH, June 17 (KUNA) -- Head of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas issued late Saturday a decree suspending implementation of three articles of the Basic Law, allowing the new emergency cabinet to take oath without getting confidence and approval of the Legislative Council which is dominated by Hamas.
The decree suspends article 65 of the main law amended in 2003 and states that when entrusted by the President of the Palestinian National Authority, the Prime Minister shall form his government within three weeks from the date of entrustment. He shall have the right to have an extension of a maximum of two weeks only.
The article also states that if the Prime Minister fails to form his government within the said deadline, or to obtain the confidence of the Legislative Council, then the President of the National Authority shall replace him within two weeks from the date of failure, or from the date of the confidence session. Provisions contained in the first clause shall apply on the new prime minister.
Abbas also suspended article 66 that states that when the Prime Minister selects the members of his government, he shall submit a request to the Legislative Council to hold a special session for vote of confidence.
Vote of confidence shall take place after listening to and discussing the written ministerial statement, which specifies the program and the policies of the government. However, the session shall be held no later than one week from the date of submission of such request.
The article also states that the vote of confidence shall be collectively for the Prime Minister and members of his government, unless the Legislative Council decides otherwise by absolute majority and that confidence shall be granted to the government, if it obtains the absolute majority of the PLC Members.
The third article suspended by Abbas was article 67 stating that after obtaining the confidence, and before assuming their offices, the Prime Minister and members of his government shall take the oath stipulated in Article (35) of the Basic Law before the President of the National Authority.
Sources close to Abbas said the new government, to be headed by Salam Faiadh, will take the oath Sunday afternoon.
Abbas entrusted Fayyadh on Friday with forming an emergency government after dismissing the Hamas-led cabinet.(end) gs.ris KUNA 170953 Jun 07NNNN