Former Palestinian PM in assets freeze

Salam Fayyad, a former Palestinian prime minister, has has his assets frozen by the Palestinian Authority.

Fayyad, a politically independent economist, said he had been accused of money laundering.

Fayyad served as prime minister between 2007 and 2013, when he resigned amid a falling out with President Mahmoud Abbas.

Fayyad enjoyed strong Western support, and focused on repairing Palestinian finances and on development projects.

Fayyad currently runs the "Future for Palestine" development institute, whose funds have reportedly been frozen over the latest lawsuit.

The institute funds projects in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Fayyad denies any wrongdoing.

The Palestinian attorney general's office confirmed the existence of the lawsuit but declined further comment. Critics say Abbas, in power for more than a decade, is now trying to sideline potential political opponents.