Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei and his Cabinet ministers submitted their resignations Thursday as Hamas appeared to have captured a massive majority of seats in the Palestinian elections. "This is the choice of the people. It should be respected," Qurei stated. "If it's true (the results), then the president should ask Hamas to form a new government. For me, personally, I sent my resignation."
Under the law, Abbas must ask the largest party in the new parliament - now likely Hamas - to form the next government.
According to the AP, Hamas made it clear before the election it does not want to govern alone, and would prefer to bring Fatah into a coalition. Prominent Hamas figure, Dr. Mahmoud Zahar said Thursday that the movement will declare its intentions after official results are announced later in the day.
