Special report:Internal situation in Palestine

    

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday that a national unity government was expected to be declared before the end of November. (AFP Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

RAMALLAH, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday that a national unity government was expected to be declared before the end of November.

    "I have good news for the Palestinian people that we achieved a great progress in forming a national unity government that will be able to end siege and open new horizons for a political solution that would end occupation," Abbas said.

    Abbas made the remarks at a ceremony to mark the second anniversary of the death of former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, which was also attended by ministers of the Hamas-led government and leaders of different factions.

    "I expect with the help of Allah (God) that a new national unity government would see the light before the end of November," Abbas said.

    Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haneya have been engaged in on-and-off talks for months to form a unity government to replace incumbent Hamas-led one to end the current political and economic crises in the Palestinian territories.