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Palestinian PM Salam Fayyad named in TIME 100

TIME magazine has named Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad as one of the 2010 "TIME 100", the magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. In his nomination, Quartet Representative Tony Blair said: "Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's uniqueness strikes you as soon as you meet him—a passionate advocate of the Palestinian cause with a clear vision of the unequivocal non-violent path to statehood and peace with Israel.

"In his three years in office, he has greatly strengthened the capacity of Palestinian government ministries and the security services, despite both physical and political constraints. These reforms have led to dramatic improvements in security and the economy in the West Bank: Palestinians can move around more freely; jobs have been created; civil servants receive a regular salary; and people generally feel safer. These strides, as well as the stringent fiscal measures introduced by his government, are mighty accomplishments that are recognised by the international community and the Israelis alike.

"In August 2009, Prime Minister Fayyad laid out a program to build the apparatus of a Palestinian state within two years, proving that he doesn't hesitate to lead from the front—often with great personal courage. It is this conviction—and his unquestionable personal integrity—that gives him the energy to keep going in the face of often daunting odds."

The TIME 100 list, now in its seventh year, recognises the activism, innovation and achievement of the worldÂ’s most influential individuals. As Managing Editor Rick Stengel has said of the list in the past, "the TIME 100 is not a list of the most powerful people in the world, it's not a list of the smartest people in the world, it is a list of the most influential people in the world. They're scientists, they're thinkers, theyÂ’re philosophers, they're leaders, they're icons, they're artists, they're visionaries.  People who are using their ideas, their visions, their actions to transform the world and have an effect on a multitude of people."

The full list and related tributes will appear in the May 10 issue of TIME, available on newsstands on Friday, April 30, and now at www.time.com/time100