Unresolved differences may delay announcement of Palestinian unity government

Hamas states it is not prepared for Abbas's decision to officially announce Palestinian unity government, doesn't agree to Fatah's prime minister.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu-Zuhri (photo credit: REUTERS)
Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu-Zuhri
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Hamas announced on Sunday that differences with Fatah over the formation of a unity government have still not been resolved.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said that his party was not consulted about the intention to announce the unity government on Monday.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday that he would announce the new unity government on Monday and warned Israel against imposing sanctions on the Palestinian Authority.
But the Hamas spokesman said that the two sides have failed to reach agreement on two main issues: the identity of the new foreign minister and the Palestinian Authority leadership's plan to cancel the PA Ministry for Prisoners' Affairs.
Abu Zuhri said that Hamas remains opposed to keeping current Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki in his position. Hamas is also opposed to the intention to cancel the Ministry for Prisoners Affairs, he added.
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