Fatah official: Fayyad will keep PM post after reshuffle

Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmad said Sunday that current Palestinian Authority premier Salam Fayyad is certain to remain head of the government after the coming ministerial reshuffle. President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to announce the new cabinet by Tuesday, his adviser said earlier. Al-Ahmad confirmed earlier reports that Fayyad will keep the prime ministerial post. He cautioned about any discussion about elections, calling it "premature". The Ramallah-based cabinet, which has been missing several members for months after a batch of resignations, will be re-formed in the absence of the slated unity cabinet jointly agreed with Hamas in February. The deal, which included fresh elections, has since stalled as the factions blame each other for the impasse.