Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed economist and former senior government official Mohammad Mustafa as the next prime minister of the PA, his office announces.

But it is unclear whether the appointment of a new cabinet led by a close Abbas ally would be sufficient to meet US demands for reform, as the 88-year-old president would remain in overall control.

JERUSALEM, Oct. 6, 2009— -- President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority is in dire political trouble. The U.S. ally is being accused by Palestinians of colluding with Israel and the ...

It’s unclear whether the appointment of a new Cabinet led by a close Abbas ally would be sufficient to meet U.S. demands for reform, as the 88-year-old president would remain in overall control.

Mohammad Shtayyeh, a longtime Abbas ally, was announced on Sunday as the new prime minister. He replaces Rami Hamdallah, who had been prime minister since 2014.