Special report:Internal situation in Palestine

    GAZA. Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah continued their talks on Monday in Gaza Strip to outline the upcoming government of national unity following an earlier general deal to replace the Hamas-led government.

    Hamas delegation is represented by Prime Minister Ismail Haneya while former Premier Ahmed Qurea heads Fatah delegation. The meetings are being held behind closed doors.

    Monday's talks are likely to focus on sharing the portfolios of the new government among all political factions.

    Meanwhile, Mustafa al-Barghouti, who mediated between the two rivals, said the issue of the new Prime Minister has been settled.

    Refusing to disclose the name of the new premier, al-Barghouti added the Prime Minister would be officially announced in a suitable time.

    But sources in Gaza said academician Mohammed Shubair is the most likely candidate of the premiership.

    Al-Barghouti's remarks were made ahead of his departure to Syria, where he is going to meet with Hamas' Damascus-based politburo Chief Khaled Mashaal. He told reporters the visit came as part of the diplomatic moves to bring the new government into form.

    For the same aim, President Mahmoud Abbas traveled to Amman Monday to meet with Jordanian King Abdullah II.

    Meanwhile, well-informed Palestinian sources said the deal between Hamas and Fatah on the new government was part of a broader agreement that included the exchange of an captive Israeli soldier for a number of Palestinian prisoners.

    The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, added Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit would be swapped for 1,000 Palestinians. Israel currently holds more than 10,000 Palestinian prisoners.

    The sources added the agreement also called for Israeli and international recognition of the new Palestinian government and lifting the siege imposed on the Palestinians after Hamas-led government took office early this year.