Gaza - Ma'an - Fatah and Hamas officials have agreed – in principle – to form a new government that will not be headed by the current prime minister, Ismael Haniyeh, Palestinian officials have said.
'We have agreed on the political platform of the new government,' a Hamas Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) member, Yahya Moussa told the Reuters news agency. Moussa also told Reuters that Hamas had agreed that Haniyeh would not be the prime minister of the new government. A new prime minister will be chosen, and his name will be presented to President Abbas for approval.
Other officials reported that Abbas may meet Haniyeh on Monday in Gaza.
Palestinian sources said that the new government's platform will not include the recognition of Israel but will have a vague phrase in this regard.
Furthermore, the sources expected that the details of the new government will not be announced unless guarantees are given to the Palestinians that the international blockade currently crippling their economy and daily life will be lifted. In addition, the sources said that a deal regarding a release of Palestinian prisoners would have to be reached, and many other unspecified issues, would have to be settled before an official announcement would be made.
The sources said that the new prime minister is expected to be a national figure considered close to Hamas.
Dates about an official response from Hamas regarding accepting a new government without Haniyeh in charge were contradictory: some said Monday while others said Tuesday.
Egyptian sources said that the issue of the new government is connected with the US administration accepting such a government. The London-based newspaper 'Al Hayat' reported from Egyptian sources that the US assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, David Welch, will visit the region and meet with Abbas in order to determine the issue.
On Sunday, the PLC member Dr. Mustapha Barghouthi told Ma'an that Hamas and Fatah had agreed to form a new government and that a meeting between Abbas and Haniyeh will be held 'soon' in this regard. Barghouthi said that his meeting with Haniyeh had been held in an 'atmosphere was excellent and positive'.