Officials from the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) said on Sunday that the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has agreed in principle to from a unity government.

Hanna Amira, member of the PLO, said that Hamas has agreed to form a proposed coalition government with its members including national figures and independent professionals.

He added that the ongoing large-scale Israeli military operation in Gaza Strip speeded up measures towards forming the new government.

Another PLO member and senior aid of President Mahmoud Abbas, Yasser Abed Rabou, also told local radio Voice of Palestine on Sunday that President Abbas is likely to get Hamas' response by Tuesday.

"There are talks and contacts with all concerned parties and we have a promise from Hamas to respond on the main issues that help forming a unity government of professionals," Abed Rabou said.

He noted that "a national, independent prime minister" is a key point for the agreement on the unity government.

Meanwhile, a well-informed source told Xinhua that Abbas has asked Hamas to nominate three persons, who can be accepted by the international community, to lead the new upcoming government.

"Hamas can, for example, select an independent prime minister who is closed to the Islamic movement," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

However, it is not an easy thing for Hamas to remise the prime minister as it had claimed the post for many times, insisting that it is their right to keep the post because they won the elections and thus given the landslide majority at the parliament.

(Xinhua News Agency November 6, 2006)