Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail
Haniyeh stands among his lineup of cabinet ministers of the new unity
government in Gaza March 15, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh (L) of Hamas shakes hands with President Mahmoud Abbas after handing him an agreed list of ministers in Gaza March 15, 2007 in this picture released by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO). Abbas on Thursday accepted a ministerial
list proposed by Haniyeh, paving the way for a unity government
that could end bloody factional violence. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
GAZA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Prime
Minister-designate Ismail Haneya announced here on Thursday afternoon that
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has approved the list of the new
national unity governmentto be announced later in the
day.
"I handed over the list of the eleventh Palestinian
government to President Abbas, who accepted it. Thanks to him." Haneya told
reporters at Abbas office following a short meeting between the two leaders.
Reassuring the vote of confidence on the coalition
government on Saturday, Haneya expressed before the reporters his urgent demand
for the new government's assumption. "I expect that the ministers will take the
oath also on Saturday."
The list of the new Palestinian government came after
hard negotiations between Hamas' Haneya and all participating factions,
especially with Fatah led by Abbas.
Haneya and Abbas met three times only on Wednesday,
during which the lineup of the upcoming unity government was agreed in
principle.
Hamas and Fatah are the main participants in the
coalition with Hamas getting nine cabinet posts and Fatah six. Six other posts
will be taken by independents.
The upcoming government will be the first coalition
one in the history of the Palestinian National Authority since its creation in
1994.
GAZA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The first challenge facing the
new Palestinian coalition government is how to end security chaos in the
Palestinian territories, a spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas said on
Thursday.
Print
