MOSCOW, March 15. /TASS/. Moscow welcomes the formation of a technocratic government in Palestine led by Mohammad Mustafa, the Russian Foreign Ministry said after a phone call between Russian Presidential Envoy for the Middle East and African Countries and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Secretary General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Hussein al-Sheikh.

"The Russian side hailed the decision to form a professional Palestinian government led by the renowned Palestinian economist [Mohammad Mustafa]. It also expressed hope that the new cabinet would efficiently perform its duties in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip and enjoy the support of the entire Palestinian population," the ministry said.

The PLO official also informed the senior Russian diplomat about the Palestinian leaders’ meetings in the capitals of the Middle East countries "aimed at the soonest cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip and delivery of humanitarian assistance to its residents," it added.

Earlier, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appointed Mohammad Mustafa, former Chairman of the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF), as the Prime Minister of Palestine. Former Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh announced the resignation of his government on February 26.