Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad will reshuffle the government in the West Bank soon, an official from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party said Wednesday.

"President Abbas has started discussions to do the reshuffle that may take place within the coming 10 days," said Amin Maqboul, a member of the Fatah Central Committee.

Maqboul added that Fayyad would continue leading the government and he would carry out the reshuffle "because he is not a subject of big controversy" for Fatah.

Fatah has always criticized Salam Fayyad's government since the prime minister, who is not a member of Fatah, represents a two- seat parliamentary bloc called the Third Way.

Abbas appointed Fayyad as prime minister in 2007, shortly after the Islamic Hamas movement took over the Gaza Strip by violence and routed pro-Abbas forces.

Fayyad reshuffled his government a year ago, giving more key portfolios to Fatah in an attempt to contain Fatah's criticism of his cabinet.

On Tuesday, Abbas said he was talking with the Central Committee, the highest decision-making body in Fatah, about amending the structure of the government.