Q&A: Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad

Q When did you become prime minister?

A In June 2007 I was sworn in.

Q Do you blame the Americans for pushing the election in which Hamas won?

A No. From what I remember, everyone, myself included, pushed for elections to be inclusive.

Q So how do you explain Fatah's loss?

A There was dissatisfaction with the way the PA [Palestinian Authority] had governed. You had a newcomer running against the system. They claim to be clean, they claim Fatah is corrupt.

Q Is it true that Fatah was corrupt?

Q When you were sworn in, you spoke out against violence and incitement. ... What did you say?

A Essentially, that the party is over. Places of worship are places of worship. Religion is about tolerance ... [Incitement] is not going to be allowed. It was something I did out of deep conviction. It was evident we were not on the right path.

Q What was the reaction?

A They complied. For the Authority to govern, there have to be rules.

Q Is Hamas still strong in the West Bank?

Q How is Palestinian security performing on the West Bank?

A Our security performance has improved markedly.

Q Is the Israeli security working with your security? Is there ... cooperation?

A It's been dead for a long time, to tell you the truth. New realities emerged after spring of 2002, in which the Israelis pretty much assumed authority [for] security in all areas of the West Bank. ... A state of lawlessness has emerged.

Q How do you unite Gaza and the West Bank again? How do you get rid of Hamas?

Q Is it a democracy when people are shelling Israel?

A As soon as there is acceptance by everyone, including Hamas, that there is one authority here and it is the sole address for weapons, there can be a resolution to our conflict. Ultimately our people have to see things for what they are and move away from empty slogans that have brought us nothing but complete calamities.

Q If they keep shelling Israel, won't the Israelis go into Gaza?

A The cycle of violence definitely has to stop. We cannot go on like this.

Q It's not really a cycle of violence. It's people in Gaza shelling Israel.