Officials say Abbas might dismantle PA government

Could form emergency leadership independent of Hamas

"A senior representative for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas over the weekend told Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office that Abbas is considering dismantling the Palestinian government, diplomatic officials told the Galil Report.

The officials said Abbas was feeling out Olmert's office to determine whether Israel would back his Fatah party with gestures if it had to go to new elections against Hamas. Abbas specifically is interested in the release of Fatah leader and jailed terror group founder Marwan Barghouti, who enjoys widespread Palestinian support and largely is considered highly electable.

As PA president, Abbas has the authority to dismantle the Palestinian government, which came under the control of Hamas after the terror group won the majority of parliamentary seats. If the government is dissolved, Abbas, as president, would then form an emergency government, which could be independent of Hamas and would govern for up to three months, after which new elections would be held. Under certain conditions, an Abbas emergency government technically could govern indefinitely."

From the Galil Report.