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New Palestinian cabinet sworn in

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.

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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.

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