Ahmed Qurei
The newly elected PLC met for the first time on 18 February 2006. Incumbent Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei tendered his resignation on 26 January 2006, but remained interim Prime Minister at the request of President Mahmoud Abbas. On 20 February, Hamas leader Ismail Haniya was nominated to form a new government. The new government with Haniya as Prime Minister was sworn in on 29 March.