Abbas, Fayyad dispute over resignation

The Palestinian government's future is uncertain due to a dispute between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Salam Fayyad, sources told The Jerusalem Post. The dispute between Abbas and his prime minister began with the resignation of Palestinian Finance Minister Nabil Qassis, sources told The Post. It could lead to the collapse of the current Palestinian government, the source told the newspaper. Abbas -- who appointed Qassis to the post -- rejected his resignation while Fayyad said he accepted it, a decision that directly challenged Abbas, sources told The Post during the weekend. Qassis did not say why he resigned, but Palestinian Authority officials say he may have been protesting agreements between Fayyad and union workers, The Post said. Meetings between Abbas and Fayyad in an effort to end the dispute failed, the sources said, adding it appears the prime minister was intent on having Qassis removed. Qassis had little choice but to resign earlier this month, al-Monitor said. Without political clout, he was pushed into a corner, al-Monitor said.