RAMALLAH: President Mahmoud Abbas has issued a presidential decree asking Dr. Mohammad Mustafa to form the nineteenth Palestinian government.
This presidential decree asks Dr. Mustafa to form the new government within the stipulated timeframe outlined in the amended Basic Law of 2003 and its subsequent amendments.
Mustafa is a seasoned Palestinian economist, Chairman of the Board of the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF), senior economic advisor to President Mahmoud Abbas, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
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Following is the text of the presidential decree:
“In my powers as the President of the State of Palestine and the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization,
Based on the provisions of the Basic Statute of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, and the provisions of the Amended Basic Law of 2003, and its amendments,
And by virtue of the powers granted to us, we assign you to form the nineteenth government within t
he period specified in the Amended Basic Law of 2003 and its amendments. I call upon you, as the Prime Minister-designate of the upcoming government to commit to the supreme interests of the Palestinian people, to preserve, protect, advance and elevate their achievements, and achieve their national goals as approved by the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative of the people, the Declaration of Independence, the decisions of the National Council, and the articles of the Basic Law. This commitment shall ensure the full exercise of powers enabling the government to perform the required tasks.
The priorities of the formed government shall include the following:
1. Leading, maximizing and coordinating the relief efforts in the Gaza Strip, and transitioning swiftly and effectively from the required humanitarian relief to economic recovery, and then organizing the reconstruction and rebuilding of what was destroyed by the machinery of war and aggression in both the southern and nort
hern governorates. These efforts should be part of a clear vision that sets the foundations for an institutionally independent State of Palestine with infrastructure and services.
2. Develop plans and implementation mechanisms for the reunification of institutions across the homeland’s governorates as a single geographical, political, national, and institutional unit.
3. Continuing the reform process in all institutional, security, economic, administrative and public finance fields, aiming for a robust and transparent governance system subject to accountability, combating corruption, and ensuring good governance, and the dignity and resilience of our citizens through improved service delivery in all sectors.
4. Providing all possible support to the judicial system and empowering it to ensure the rule of law, security for citizens, effective access to justice, guaranteeing their rights, strengthening the role of law enforcement agencies, and working with the relevant authorities to strengthen the judicial a
uthority and ensure its independence.
5. Advancing the process of building state institutions, and empowering all groups, especially Palestinian youth and women, respecting public freedoms, and strengthening partnership between different parties, including civil society institutions, organizations, popular and youth activities, and our people in diaspora and refugees’ camps.
6. Reinvigorating the national economy and investment, including better utilization of resources, rationalization of expenditures, enhancing service sectors, and infrastructure that regulates and stimulates the economy, in partnership with relevant national entities , particularly the private sector.
7. Strengthening the bonds of political, economic, and cultural relations and cooperation with brotherly Arab countries and friendly nations to ensure national resilience, sustainable development, prosperity, self-reliance, and the requirements of a decent and prosperous life for our people.
8. Strengthening the resilience of our people,
including continuing to defend the city of Jerusalem and its Christian and Islamic holy sites, and providing the means of resilience for citizens in marginalized areas facing the polices of occupation and colonization.
9. Working to promote a culture of partnership, dialogue, transparency, inclusiveness, and participation in decision-making among all components of society, ensuring public and private freedoms in accordance with the law, most notably freedom of opinion and expression.
10. Taking the necessary measures and preparations for holding legislative and presidential elections in the northern governorates, including East Jerusalem, and the southern governorates, as soon as possible in accordance with the Basic Law and relevant laws.
11. Ensuring freedom of operation for media within the framework of applicable laws and regulations that guarantee freedom of movement and media activities, access to information sources, and social media in accordance with the law.”
Source: Palestine News and Informat
ion Agency – WAFA