Defying his parliament, Palestinian Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said Wednesday he would not reshuffle his Cabinet ahead of legislative elections in January
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Defying his parliament, Palestinian Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said Wednesday he would not reshuffle his Cabinet ahead of legislative elections in January.
Earlier this month, parliament demanded that Abbas immediately form a new government to fight growing chaos and lawlessness in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Abbas told legislators Wednesday that it makes no sense to replace Cabinet ministers because many of them will resign anyhow by the end of November in order to be eligible as candidates in the January 25 parliament vote.
"You had taken decision to reshuffle the government," Abbas said. "Maybe you forgot that we are about to enter the election?" Abbas told legislators.
It remains unclear whether legislators will now revive a threat to bring down Abbas' government in a no-confidence vote.