Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas says he will ask the Palestinian Authority's current prime minister, Ahmed Qureia, to stay on to form a new government.

Addressing his supporters in Ramallah Saturday after he was sworn into office, Mr. Abbas expressed confidence in the prime minister and said they would consult together on forming a new government.

Mr. Qureia became prime minister after Mr. Abbas resigned in September 2003, in a dispute with Yasser Arafat.