Salam Fayyad is the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, and internationally respected economist.
Born in 1952, Fayyad received his doctorate in economics from the University of Texas in 1986. He remained in the United States, where he worked for the International Monetary Fund from 1987 to 1995. Salam Fayyad also served as Palestine’s representative to the IMF until 2001 when Yasser Arafat appointed him as Minister of Finance in the Palestinian Authority. He has acquired a reputation as a trustworthy official for cleaning up the finances and organizing the books of the Palestinian Authority.
In 2005, Salam Fayyad left the cabinet and formed a new political party, the Third Way, which won two seats in the 2006 elections. In the turmoil caused by the 2006 elections and Hamas’ rise as Fatah’s rival in Palestinian politics, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared a state of emergency and appointed Fayyad as Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority.
Salam Fayyad’s record of cleaning up financial corruption and his role as an independent made him a welcomed choice by Israel and the United States. Fayyad is seen as pro-Western and his economic reforms have successfully helped the Palestinian Authority secure $200 million from the U.S. Congress. Although Salam Fayyad’s independent government enjoys recognition by Israel and the West, Hamas has rejected its legitimacy. The Hamas-controlled Palestinian parliament has not ratified his appointment.
In March 2009, Fayyad submitted his resignation as prime minister, but in May 2009 was reappointed by Abbas to the position. Since his reappointment as prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, Fayyad has drafted economic reforms while seeking an independent Palestinian state by developing Palestine’s economy and government infrastructure.
In August 2009, Fayyad unveiled his proposal, “Palestine- Ending Occupation, Establishing the State”, where he detailed a two year program for building vital infrastructures and institutions for a Palestinian state while working on peace negotiations with Israel.
Despite his good intentions on Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, U.S. Secretary of State Kerry so far looks like a naive and ham-handed diplomat who has been acting like a bull in the china shop.
by Barak Ravid 35 comments
Outgoing Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, who was quoted slamming the Palestinian leadership, says was misled by correspondent.
by Haaretz 6 comments
Mahmoud Abbas wants to assess whether a cabinet of technocrats could be created that he would head, and which would lead to elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip within 90 days. Proponents of Palestinian reconciliation are in favor of elections.
by Jack Khoury 7 comments
The PA prime minister's vision of a functioning, democratic Palestinian state was defeated by the realities of a new Middle East.
by David Rosenberg 8 comments
It was actually the PA prime minister's successes that eventually led to his downfall. His effective management and relative popularity meant he was a threat to too many people.
by Barak Ravid 71 comments
Salam Fayyad has reportedly quit after rift with Mahmoud Abbas over policy; Abbas asks him to stay on as caretaker until new government is formed, says he will name a new PM within days.
by Jack Khoury and Reuters 17 comments
Palestinian officials say the U.S. is unwilling to discuss the option of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's resignation, in spite of his long-standing differences with President Mahmoud Abbas.
by Jack Khoury and Reuters 14 comments
Sources differ on whether the Palestinian prime minister will resign, but all agree his days are numbered due to pressure from the Fatah movement and the Palestinian public.
by Jack Khoury 0 comments
Fayyad disagrees with President Mahmoud Abbas over policy, Reuters reports.
by Reuters 13 comments
61-year-old Fayyad felt pain in his abdomen while at his office and was taken to Ramallah Hospital. The prime minister suffered a heart attack two years ago while visiting family in the United States.
by The Associated Press 1 comments
