Last update - 00:00 16/02/2007
Haniyeh says he hopes to form new government within three weeks
By The Associated Press
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas said Friday he hoped a new coalition government with Fatah would be in place in less than three weeks, despite unresolved internal disputes and a reported warning of a U.S. boycott.
In quick succession Thursday, Haniyeh and his government resigned and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah appointed him to form the new team, based on last week's agreement in Mecca to split power between the two rivals.
Haniyeh has five weeks to put together a new cabinet. During that period, Hamas and Fatah need to resolve deep disputes over control of the security forces and whether to dismantle a separate Hamas militia.
At a sermon Friday at a Gaza City mosque, Haniyeh said he hoped to form a new government well before the deadline.
"We hope the government will be produced in less than three weeks and presented to the esteemed parliament for approval," he said.
However, even if the coalition is formed, it appears increasingly unlikely it will win international backing. The new government's political program falls short of a key condition by the international community, explicit recognition of Israel. Instead, it contains a vague promise to respect international agreements, at best implying recognition.
Hamas is considered a terror group by the U.S., the EU and Israel, and the Hamas-led government was targeted by a crippling international aid boycott. Western nations have demanded that Hamas renounce violence, recognize Israel's right to exist and accept past peace agreements.