Fayad asks donors to channel Gaza aid through him

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayad is asking donor countries to channel hundreds of millions in expected aid for Gaza "first and foremost" through his government. Fayad's request was part of a 53-page report he presented to donors ahead of a pledging conference for Gaza next week. The report was obtained Thursday by The Associated Press. Gaza's Hamas rulers are not invited to the conference. Instead, the Palestinians will be represented by Fayad. The document says that of nearly $2.8 billion in requested aid, $1.326 billion is for reconstruction and $1.45 billion for budget support. Donors have not yet decided who should lead reconstruction.