GAZA, June 17 (UPI) -- Sunday marked the first full day for the new emergency government sworn in by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Abbas issued a decree Saturday night to have Salam Fayyad rule as interim prime minister without the approval of the Hamas-dominated parliament, BBC news reported.
Abbas last week dissolved the Hamas-Fatah unity government and dismissed Ismail Haniya, a Hamas leader, as prime minister after Hamas stormed Gaza in violence that killed at least 116 people.
While Haniya called Abbas's actions illegal, Israel's government said a non-Hamas cabinet creates new opportunities for a partnership in peace.
U.S. officials signaled their support, saying there were no obstacles to working with the new Palestinian government, BBC reported.