Abbas vows to 'speed up' steps towards vote, unity govt

RAMALLAH: Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas on Wednesday vowed to "speed up" efforts with Hamas to form a new government and to organise fresh elections, in a major speech to his leadership.

"In order to expedite the implemention of the reconciliation, we will continue to make every effort to speed up the resolution of the remaining issues -- first among them the presidential and legislative elections, as well as those for the Palestinian National Council, and the formation of a government of independents to oversee the elections," he said.