Officials from the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)
said on Sunday that the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has
agreed in principle to from a unity government.
Hanna Amira, member of the PLO, said that Hamas has agreed to
form a proposed coalition government with its members including
national figures and independent professionals.
He added that the ongoing large-scale Israeli military operation
in Gaza Strip speeded up measures towards forming the new
government.
Another PLO member and senior aid of President Mahmoud Abbas,
Yasser Abed Rabou, also told local radio Voice of Palestine on
Sunday that President Abbas is likely to get Hamas' response by
Tuesday.
"There are talks and contacts with all concerned parties and we
have a promise from Hamas to respond on the main issues that help
forming a unity government of professionals," Abed Rabou said.
He noted that "a national, independent prime minister" is a key
point for the agreement on the unity government.
Meanwhile, a well-informed source told Xinhua that Abbas has
asked Hamas to nominate three persons, who can be accepted by the
international community, to lead the new upcoming government.
"Hamas can, for example, select an independent prime minister
who is closed to the Islamic movement," the source told Xinhua on
condition of anonymity.
However, it is not an easy thing for Hamas to remise the prime
minister as it had claimed the post for many times, insisting that
it is their right to keep the post because they won the elections
and thus given the landslide majority at the parliament.
(Xinhua News Agency November 6, 2006)
