Palestinian Prime Minister-designate Ismail Haneya revealed in Gaza on Thursday afternoon that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had given his accord to the list of the new national unity government set to be announced later today.

 

 

"I gave the list of the eleventh Palestinian government to President Abbas, who accepted it. For this, I thank him." Haneya informed reporters at Abbas' office after a brief meeting between the two faction leaders.

 

Ahead of Saturday's vote of confidence in the government, Haneya conveyed his deep hopes that the government would be accepted. "I expect that the ministers will take the oath also on Saturday."

 

The new Palestinian government's format was hard-earned after intense negotiations between Hamas' Haneya and all participating factions, especially the Fatah part led by President Mahmoud Abbas.

 

Haneya and Abbas met three times on Wednesday alone, agreeing in principle on the unity government's format.

 

Hamas and Fatah will take up most of the coalition government with Hamas getting nine cabinet posts and Fatah six while the last six posts will be attributed to independents.

 

The upcoming government will be the first coalition one since the Palestinian National Authority was created in 1994.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2007)