A report published in the London-based Arabic-language newspaper Al-Hayat said bluntly, "The new Palestinian government will not be set up before the Palestinians are promised that the economic siege will be removed and the deal for the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit is actualized."
Another issue yet to be resolved is the question of who will lead the next PA government.
According to a Hamas spokesman quoted by the Reuters news service, current PA prime minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas will not head the new unity government. "We have agreed on the political platform of the new government," said Yahya Moussa. "The Hamas movement has also agreed that the next prime minister will not be Haniyeh."
Another Hamas spokesman, Fawzi Barhoum, added that Hamas would name the new prime minister and form the cabinet in any deal worked out between the Hamas and Fatah factions.
The Fatah faction leader, however, said the deal was not yet final, nor would it be until an agreement was reached by Abbas and Haniyeh on who would head the new PA government. Hamas is expected to present its candidate to Abbas for approval, and the two are expected to meet soon to work out final details of the agreement.
Negotiations between the rival Arab factions have reached a near-closing point several times before in the past six months, only to break down at the last minute. Another breakdown would likely lead to another round of inter-faction violence in Gaza.
Another issue yet to be resolved is the question of who will lead the next PA government.
According to a Hamas spokesman quoted by the Reuters news service, current PA prime minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas will not head the new unity government. "We have agreed on the political platform of the new government," said Yahya Moussa. "The Hamas movement has also agreed that the next prime minister will not be Haniyeh."
Another Hamas spokesman, Fawzi Barhoum, added that Hamas would name the new prime minister and form the cabinet in any deal worked out between the Hamas and Fatah factions.
The Fatah faction leader, however, said the deal was not yet final, nor would it be until an agreement was reached by Abbas and Haniyeh on who would head the new PA government. Hamas is expected to present its candidate to Abbas for approval, and the two are expected to meet soon to work out final details of the agreement.
Negotiations between the rival Arab factions have reached a near-closing point several times before in the past six months, only to break down at the last minute. Another breakdown would likely lead to another round of inter-faction violence in Gaza.