Key Takeaways
- The new Palestinian government, led by Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, has been sworn in in the West Bank.
- The government’s main goal is to achieve freedom, independence, and liberation from Israeli occupation.
- President Mahmoud Abbas has reaffirmed his commitment to working with Arab and international parties to obtain full membership in the United Nations.
Ramallah: The Palestinian new government headed by Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa was sworn in here in the West Bank on Sunday.
The new government consists of 23 ministerial portfolios, including at least six ministers from the Gaza Strip. Mustafa will also take over the position of foreign minister from veteran diplomat Riyad Al-Maliki.
The new government, led by Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, has pledged to serve all Palestinians. The Palestine Liberation Organization and its political program will be the guiding principles of the government, as mandated by President Mahmoud Abbas.
At a meeting with the new government after the ceremony, Abbas reaffirmed that work is underway in coordination with Arab and international parties to stop the conflict in Gaza.
“Our political goal is to achieve freedom, independence and liberation from the (Israeli) occupation, and we are working with concerned Arab and international parties to obtain full membership in the United Nations,” said the president, according to the official news agency WAFA.
On March 14, Abbas tasked Mustafa, the head of the Palestine Investment Fund and his longtime economic advisor, to form the 19th government, according to WAFA.
His appointment came after the former government resigned in light of challenging circumstances amid the developments in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, as well as mounting pressure on Abbas to reform the Palestinian Authority and establish a political framework capable of governing a future Palestinian state in the aftermath of the Gaza conflict.
