Related: Fatah urged not to join Hamas-led cabinet    

    GAZA, March 4 (Xinhuanet) -- Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) was preparing for the formation of the next cabinet excluding the former ruling Fatah movement, sources close to Hamas said on Saturday.

    The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the website of Palestine News Net that at least four ministerial posts would be filled by Hamas nominees, namely the interior, foreign, information and finance.

    The sources said the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine might get a portfolio.

    Hamas has been negotiating with other Palestinian factions including Fatah on forming a new coalition government since its senior leader Ismail Haneya was appointed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Feb. 21 as prime minister and tasked with forming the next cabinet within five weeks.

    Hamas won 74 out of the 132 seats of the Palestinian Legislative Council in the Jan. 25 parliamentary elections. Fatah, which won 45 seats, has not yet decided whether to join the Hamas-led cabinet. Enditem