BREAKING NEWS

Kerry says US will work with, monitor new Palestinian gov't

BEIRUT - Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday the United States would work with the new Palestinian unity government "as we need to" but would be monitoring its commitment to continued cooperation with Israel.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas swore in a unity government on Monday in a reconciliation deal with Hamas, Islamists who advocate Israel's destruction.

"We are going to be watching (the government) very closely, as we said from day one, to absolutely ensure that it upholds each of those things it has talked about, that it doesn't cross the line," Kerry said.