Outgoing lawmakers attend their last session at the Palestinian Legislative Council in Ramallah, February 13, 2006

The outgoing Palestinian parliament has given Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas new powers just days before the Islamic militant group Hamas comes to power.

The parliament, which is dominated by Mr. Abbas' Fatah party, passed an amendment Monday allowing him to name judges to a court that can veto laws passed by the legislature.

Hamas leaders called the measure "illegitimate" and vowed to overturn it when the group takes over the legislature Saturday.

Spokesmen for Hamas also say it has settled on a prime minister who belongs to the militant group. Earlier, Hamas said it preferred an independent for the post. The group says it hopes Fatah will join a new Palestinian government, but Fatah has said it will refuse.