HAMAS AND PA DISCUSS FORMATION OF NATIONAL CONSENSUS GOVERNMENT
Gaza City, 12 Rabi’ul Awwal 1435/14 January 2014 (MINA) – The foreign affairs consultant to Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has revealed that there are ongoing discussions with the Palestinian Authority about the formation of a national consensus government, followed by elections at least six months later.
In an interview with Alresalah.ps quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Dr Bassem Naim hinted that Haniyeh has been regularly speaking with PA Chief Mahmoud Abbas to pave the way for further positive developments in the reconciliation file. The issue of forming a national consensus government is expected to be settled in the near future, Naim said.
He noted that the new government will be responsible for three main tasks: the reconstruction of Gaza, unification of institutions and preparations for elections, Alresalah.ps quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).
He also denied media reports suggesting that the Palestinian government was officially informed of the visit of Fatah official Azzam Al-Ahmed to the Gaza Strip.
Regarding the nature of the security arrangements after reconciliation, Naim said that the two movements agreed to keep the situation as it is in the West Bank and Gaza until a national consensus government has been formed.
Upon its formation, the new government will work on reformulating the security apparatus on the basis of national principles and criteria.
Naim also spoke about the Palestinian National Council elections, which are considered key among the five issues related to reconciliation.
He revealed that a joint paper between Hamas and Fatah is collaboratively being drafted in this regard, noting that consensus is yet to be reached over some points that continue to cause disagreement.
He said that “The issue will depend, one way or another, on the regional circumstances”, but stressed that, unlike in Syria, Palestinians will not be deprived of a means to express their opinions.
Palestine Parties Discuss Reconciliation in Gaza
The Palestinian factions held on Sunday an urgent and comprehensive meeting in the city of Gaza to discuss the Palestinian reconciliation.
Jameel Mizher, a leader of the Palestinian Popular Front (PPF), said that “the meeting was organized by the Islamic Jihad to confer the latest developments in the Palestinian arena, particularly the reconciliation file.”
Mizher confirmed that all the Palestinian factions attended the meeting, including Hamas and Fatah. “All parties are looking for a way out; we no longer accept division,” said Mizher. He pointed out that all the Palestinian factions encouraged the implementation of reconciliation.
The reconciliation file has witnessed very crucial developments. President of the PA, Mahmoud Abbas, expressed his willingness to form a transitional government and fix a time for elections. (T/P02/E1/mirajnews.com)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
