Thursday, January 26 2006 16:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ramallah: The Palestinian Cabinet resigned today (Jan 26,2006) following the apparent Hamas victory in legislative elections, Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia's office said, setting the stage for the Islamic group to lead a new Palestinian Government.

Under Palestinian law, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas must now ask the party that holds a majority in the legislature to form a new Government.

"If it's true, the president should ask Hamas to form a new Government for me. Personally, I sent my resignation," Qureia told The Associated Press.

Officials with Hamas and Abbas' Fatah Party said they expected Hamas to win a solid majority in the parliament. Official results were expected later today.

"Hamas will give clear answers about the issue of forming the government after the announcement of the official results by the general election commission," said Mahmoud Zahar, a senior Hamas candidate.