Special Report: Hamas-led cabinet takes office

     CAIRO, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Nayef Hawatmeh, general secretary of the Damascus-based Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), said on Thursday that his group would join the Hamas-led Palestinian government, said reports from the Syrian capital Damascus.

    "The Hamas government is the choice of the Palestinians. It represents 36 percent of Palestinians who live in the territories, though 64 percent are diaspora," Hawatmeh was quoted by the Syrian TV as saying.

    The DFLP chief called on other factions to support the Hamas-led government. He said any single-handed Palestinian cabinet could not cope with the current external pressure, hoping that a national coalition government could be formed.

    The DFLP attended the Jan. 25 legislative elections under the umbrella bloc of al-Badeel which received seven seats out of 132 in the legislative council.

    The Hamas government, which took office on March 29, is facing a financial shortage as key international donors have suspended crucial aid.

    After just three weeks in office, the government is fighting for survival and seeking a coalition with other factions to shore up support, warning that the administration's collapse could spark violence. Enditem