Abbas asked the incumbent Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei to continue in his post and form a new cabinet.

In February 2005, News Agency WAFA published a list of members of the new government to be presented in the Palestinian Legislative Council for a vote of confidence.

On 26 January 2006, Qurei announced his intention to resign following the Fatah party's defeat by Hamas in the parliamentary elections.

[5] At the request of PNA President, Mahmoud Abbas, Qurei remained in office in a caretaker capacity until a successor was named.

February 2005 to March 2006 [4] ** In April 2005, the responsibilities of Interior Minister were expanded with National Security forces and General Intelligence [8]