Talks on Palestinian Unity Gov`t to End Soon

Source: Alalam.ir, 22-2-2007
GAZA, Palestinian Territories--Spokesman for the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas Ghazi Hamad said on Thursday that talks on forming a Palestinian national unity government are about to finish.
"Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has talked with all factions, including those which refused to join the coalition," Hamad said, adding that outstanding issues would be settled next week, including choosing the interior minister and other ministers.
"We want to form the unity government as soon as possible to block chances of imposing international pressure on it," Hamad said, expecting that the government is to be announced before a three-week constitutional period ends.
Hamad expected that the United States will change its stance regarding the new government that will be headed by Ismail Haniyeh.
"It will be difficult for the United States to take an aggressive stance toward the government when it sees its allies standing beside the government," Hamad said.
Fatah and Hamas movements agreed on a power-sharing deal in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 8 to form a national unity government, ending months of power struggle and infighting.
The two sides have gained portfolios according to their representation in the parliament, leaving three ministries for smaller factions and some five for independents.
Confirming that Fatah will not obstruct the formation of the government, Fatah spokesman Ahmed Abdel Rahman has called on Haniyeh to "reach an expanded formula" to attract all powers to join the government.
While negotiations were underway among all the factions, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas embarked on an Arab and European tour.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Abbas, said that the tour was aimed at gaining Arab and European support for the national unity government agreed by both Fatah and Hamas.
``We are looking forward to breaking the ice, reviving the stalled peace process and ending embargo imposed on the Palestinian people," he said.