Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei said Sunday that he would resign after a new Palestinian National Authority (PNA) chairman emerged from Sunday's election.

Qurei told Xinhua in an interview that he would tender his resignation as soon as the new chairman takes office. "Under the law, the prime minister and his government should resign after a new chairman is elected in order to enable the chairman to choose a new prime minister who will be authorized to form a new government," Qurei explained.

However, Qurei refused to go into details until the final result of the election is declared.

Polls were closed at 9 p.m. (1900 GMT), and an exit poll showed that Mahmoud Abbas, Fatah movement's candidate, won with a landslide victory of 66 percent of the votes.

Abbas had said he would ask Qurei to form a new government. Qurei highly praised Sunday's election, saying "despite all the challenges and obstacles that Israel has put in front of the Palestinians, we will keep going toward freedom and independence." "The election represents a victory for the Palestinian democracyand manifest the Palestinian people deserve an independent state like other peoples all over the world," Qurei said.

"No matter who wins in the democratic election, he would represent the Palestinian people," said Qurei, adding "the election send a message to the international community that the Palestinians want peace and they are committed to it."

Qurei called on the international community to play its role in obliging the Israeli government to implement the peace agreements. He also urged Israel to return as immediately as possible to the negotiating table.

"We have chosen peace and democracy and we want a real partner in the peace process," said Qurei.

Asked about the relationship with China, Qurei said the Palestinians appreciate China's support for the Palestinian people and their leadership.

Source: Xinhua