Salam Fayyad chosen as new PA prime minister

Finance Minister Salam Fayyad, an independent, on Friday was chosen as the new Palestinian Authority prime minister, the chief Palestinian negotiator said. Fayyad, who is well-respected by the international community, will replace Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, who was fired by PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday, after Hamas took control of Gaza by force, the negotiator, Saeb Erekat, told The Associated Press.