GAZA, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh will propose to retain his position in the new Palestinian unity government to be formed with Fatah and other factions.
Hamas will retain eight of the 24 ministerial positions in its proposal to Fatah for the formation of the new unity government, reported a Hamas-affiliated journalist in Gaza, while four ministries will be allotted to Fatah, four to independent parties and eight to technocrats.
Fatah may accept Hamas's proposal if they are granted control of the Interior Ministry, which controls the security apparatus. Possible appointments include Hanan Ashrawi as Foreign Affairs minister and Salam Fayyad as Finance minister, both from the Third Way party and accepted by the international community. Mustafa Barougthi of Independent Palestine, a physician and former presidential candidate, may be appointed as Health minister.
President Mahmoud Abbas announced Monday that he had reached an agreement with Haniyeh to form a unity government between Fatah and Hamas. The current Hamas-led government will be dissolved, although it is still unclear how Hamas's political program will change and if the Palestinian government will be able to resume contact with the international community.
