The Palestinian Authority is to cut fuel prices and the salaries of top officials after days of protests across the West Bank over rising living costs.

The Palestinian Authority is to cut fuel prices and the salaries of top officials after days of protests across the West Bank over rising living costs. As Prime Minister Salam Fayyad made the announcement, hundreds of protesters gathered outside his Ramallah offices.

Strikes and violent protests have paralysed parts of the West Bank for the past six days. Last week Mr Fayyad said he would not hesitate to resign if the Palestinian people demanded it.

Protesters accuse Mr Fayyad of worsening poverty in the West Bank. Following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Mr Fayyad said that the price of fuel “will be returned to what it was in late August, starting tomorrow [Wednesday]”.

Fuel recently hit 8.5 shekels ($2.12; £1.33) per litre.

“There will be additional cuts made to the expenses of ministries and government institutions with the exception the ministries of health, education and social affairs,” he said. Mr Fayyad – an economist and an independent politician – also announced cuts to the salaries and expenses of senior officials and ministers.

“We will not commit to any new ministerial expenses for travel, rent, transportation or fuel until we get through this financial crisis.”