Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday appointed Hamas leader Isma'eel Haneya prime minister and charged him with forming the next government, reported the Deutsche Presse Agentur (dpa). Abbas was reported to have to met Haneya in Gaza City and handed him a letter formally entrusting him with the task. An official confirmation of Haneya's nomination was expected later Tuesday. Haneya formally becomes premier once his government is approved by parliament. Under Palestinian law, he has three weeks, or until March 14, to present his government to the legislature, but he can ask for a two-week extension if needed. --SP 00 02 Local Time 21 02 GMT