Palestinian Cabinet Dissolved as Abbas Demonstrates Political Reform

JERUSALEM -- The Palestinian prime minister today dissolved his Cabinet in what some said was an attempt to increase popular support and avoid pro-democracy demonstrations like those sweeping Egypt.

Palestinian officials insisted that the move is not a direct response to the events in Egypt and said it was meant to help the Palestinians prepare for elections planned for later this year.

"This reshuffle was supposed to happen with or without Egypt," Ghassan al-Khatib, the director of the government media center in Ramallah, told AOL News. "But maybe the events have accelerated it."

Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas (2nd R) attends a ceremony celebrating the birthday of Islam's Prophet Mohammed in the West Bank city of Ramallah on February 14, 2011.

Abbas Momani, AFP / Getty Images

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is seeking to boost his standing after the collapse of peace talks and two Arab uprisings in the region.

Prime Minister Salam Fayyad now has six weeks to name a new Cabinet. President Mahmoud Abbas has accepted the decision, The Associated Press reported. Palestinian officials announced over the weekend that they would hold elections later this year, following local elections in July. Elections have been repeatedly postponed because the Islamist Hamas, which controls Gaza, has refused to participate.

There was no indication that anything has changed in Hamas' position.

"This is silly theater," Hamas official Fawzi Barhoum told the AP in Gaza.

Hamas has been at odds with the Palestinian Authority leadership since the Islamist group's violent takeover of Gaza in 2007. Abbas' credibility has also suffered from his failure to achieve an independent Palestinian state.

Palestinian analysts said the move announced today was meant to improve Abbas' standing among the Palestinians.

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"I'm not sure why they decided to do this now," Palestinian pollster Nabil Kukali told AOL News. "I think it's a little too early to see the results of the events in Egypt. It's all too uncertain still."

Government spokesman Khatib said that six Cabinet positions that were reserved for members from Gaza have been vacant and need to be filled. He also said that the Palestinians are moving toward a September deadline in which they will unilaterally declare a Palestinian state.

Last week, there was a large demonstration in Gaza in support of the Egyptian revolution. Hamas security guards stood by and did not intervene. Some Israeli and Palestinian analysts said Hamas could benefit from the events in Egypt if the Muslim Brotherhood, from which Hamas is an offshoot, becomes part of the new governing coalition in Egypt.