GAZA, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haneya expressed regret on Sunday over the siege that still imposed on the Palestinians since his administration took office in March.

    Haneya, a senior leader from the ruling Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), made the remarks as Arab countries failed to take action to implement their commitment, made by Arab foreign ministers a week ago, to break up the western embargo.

    "This decision was not translated into action," Haneya told reporters, adding that the Arab countries have retreated from implementing this resolution before the American domination.

    Concerning the talks over forming a national unity government, Haneya admitted that ongoing talks were hard and there were some issues that need more time to settle.

    However, he underlined that the unity government would mean nothing if the western sanctions remained, saying, "We came to this point in order to lift the siege on the Palestinians and not to take photos only."

    President Mahmoud Abbas has been in Gaza to follow up the talks while officials expect the new government would be announced by the end of November.

    Earlier on Sunday, Abbas met with Muhammad Shuabir, who is likely to head the new cabinet. Local reports said Abbas approved Shubair as the prime minister, while there was no official announcement yet.