Abbas to head Palestinian unity government
8 Feb
Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have agreed to name President Mahmoud Abbas as Head of a Unity Government that will oversee preparations for presidential and legislative elections.
The deal sought to end more than four years of separate governments in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
As per the agreement Mahmoud Abbas will be the interim Prime Minister until elections are held.
Abbas and Hamas Chief Khaled Mashaal on Monday met in Qatar capital to finalise issues arising from a reconciliation agreement signed by the two factions last April.
Abbas and Khaled Mashaal, head of the Islamic militant Hamas, said they would move forward without delay, though it appears unlikely elections can be held in May, as initially envisioned.
Meanwhile, Israel has condemned the agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu termed the understanding as one which harms the peace prospects.
The United States has said that a deal between Fatah and Islamist militant group Hamas brokered by Qatar is an internal matter of Palestine.
“As we’ve said many times, questions of Palestinian reconciliation are an internal matter for Palestinians,” State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters.
“What matters to us are the principles that guide a Palestinian government going forward, in order for them to be able to play a constructive role for peace and building an independent state,” she said response to a question on the deal between Fatah and Hamas.
Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have agreed to name President Mahmoud Abbas as Head of a Unity Government that will oversee preparations for presidential and legislative elections.
The deal sought to end more than four years of separate governments in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
As per the agreement Mahmoud Abbas will be the interim Prime Minister until elections are held.
Abbas and Hamas Chief Khaled Mashaal on Monday met in Qatar capital to finalise issues arising from a reconciliation agreement signed by the two factions last April.
Abbas and Khaled Mashaal, head of the Islamic militant Hamas, said they would move forward without delay, though it appears unlikely elections can be held in May, as initially envisioned.
Meanwhile, Israel has condemned the agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu termed the understanding as one which harms the peace prospects.
The United States has said that a deal between Fatah and Islamist militant group Hamas brokered by Qatar is an internal matter of Palestine.
“As we’ve said many times, questions of Palestinian reconciliation are an internal matter for Palestinians,” State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters.
“What matters to us are the principles that guide a Palestinian government going forward, in order for them to be able to play a constructive role for peace and building an independent state,” she said response to a question on the deal between Fatah and Hamas.
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