Quds, July 31, SPA-- Palestinian parliamentary elections, originally set for the summer, will be held around Jan. 20, 2006, Palestinian Information Minister Nabil Shaath said Sunday. He told The Associated Press that Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas would issue a decree on Aug. 7 setting the date, aiming for Jan. 20. Shaath said that during the week, Palestinian factions would meet to agree on the exact date. The postponement put the parliamentary balloting after Israel's pullout from the Gaza Strip, set for next month. Abbas has been working to coordinate a smooth transfer of authority, and Shaath said some progress has been made.