RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- Palestinian Authority spokesman Ghassan Khatib has decided to leave his position and return to teaching, the PA's official news agency Wafa reported Wednesday.

Khatib had taken a three-year leave of absence from Birzeit University to work as a spokesman and head of the PA government media center at the request of PA prime minister Salam Fayyad.

Three years is the maximum amount of leave a university employee can take, which is why Khatib is returning to his former position, a statement from the center said.

Salam Fayyad applauded Khatib for his service, saying he had undertaken his role professionally.

No replacement has been named.