Fatah political faction has demanded in a letter sent on Saturday to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that he sack western-backed Prime Minister Salam Fayyad

Fatah political faction has demanded in a letter sent on Saturday to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that he sack western-backed Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, but the president "did not take it seriously", a Fatah official told Reuters.

However, the request underlined deep political friction at the heart of the Palestinian Authority, with many Fatah activists clearly frustrated by Fayyad, who has no significant political base of his own but wields substantial power.

"We suggest you reconsider re-appointing Dr. Fayyad and (instead) ask that a strong Fatah figure do the job," said the letter, backed by Fatah's central revolutionary council.

Looking to show his commitment for change in the wake of popular protests across the Arab world, Abbas on February 14 asked Fayyad to appoint a new cabinet and prepare for elections.

Talks aimed at drawing up a new list of ministers have not gone as quickly as hoped, and the Fatah discontent is likely to further complicate Fayyad's task.