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Last update - 13:22 17/10/2006
Abbas lacks majority in Fatah to oust Hamas government
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service

Most Fatah leaders are opposed to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' initiative to dismiss the Hamas government.

Consequently, the Fatah Central Committee has postponed a meeting scheduled to discuss the Abbas proposal.

Abbas has spoken repeatedly of the possibility of invoking his right to dissolve the government and in its place, establish a government of experts.

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According to the Palestinian constitution, a government which does not win parliamentary support can not hold power for more than a few months. Establishment of a government of experts would greatly increase the chance of early elections for the PA.

The Fatah Central Committee, composed of 20 members, was to have convened Monday evening in Amman in order to discuss Abbas' proposal.

Hardline senior Fatah official Farouk Kadoumi arrived in Amman from Damascus and Abbas came from the West Bank.

However, according to the London-based Al-Hayat newspaper, at the last minute it became clear to Abbas that his proposal would not gain majority support. Due to this realization, the decision was made to postpone the central committee session.

In the meantime, diplomatic efforts continue to work towards an agreement on regime change. A-Sharq Al-Ousat newspaper reported that Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman proposed to Khaled Meshal, the head of Hamas' political bureau, that Hamas leave the government.

Suleiman advised that were it to be outside the government, Hamas could influence the policies of the new government, while utilizing the decided majority which Hamas has in the Palestinian parliament.

Hamas has refused to agree to the demands of the international community, which has urged it to recognize Israel, forswear violence, and commit to prior peace agreements. Fatah and the Egyptians argue that as long as Hamas remains in power, the boycott of the PA will not be lifted, further hurting Palestinian interests.

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  1.   Hamas should never recognize Israel...Palestinians 14:02  |  Christian Arab 17/10/06
  2.   #1: never is a long time 15:34  |  Pope 17/10/06
  3.   #1. you are so blinded by your failed elite, intellectually empty 15:59  |  ralph 17/10/06
  4.   Abbas` worth to palestinians is as a bagman 16:08  |  Bimmer 17/10/06
  5.   Palestinians want and respect democracy 16:14  |  Arthur 17/10/06
  6.   So much for democracy 16:43  |  Clickfool 17/10/06
  7.   christian arab #1 17:03  |  fatima 17/10/06
  8.   Clickfool 17:05  |  fatima 17/10/06
  9.   pope `2 17:06  |  fatima 17/10/06
  10.   America, in bed with dirty dogs 17:15  |  Clickfool 17/10/06
  11.   Poor Abbas 17:24  |  Paulo 17/10/06
  12.   Still Rice & Livni will forge ahead 17:28  |  dave 17/10/06
  13.   This article says it all - nothing more need be said. 17:41  |  bat yam 17/10/06
  14.   Christian Arab 17:55  |  Gaan kak 17/10/06
  15.   abbas resign!!!! 17:59  |  vik 17/10/06
  16.   Arthur ; Pals respect 18:01  |  Gaan kak 17/10/06
  17.   fatima: excuse me, but Arafat is dead, you know 18:02  |  Jy praat twak 17/10/06
  18.   washington response to his? 18:46  |  vik 17/10/06
  19.   # 1 Christian Arab, Palestinians should learn to compromise like 19:34  |  Haham me Bat Yam 17/10/06
  20.   #7 Fatima, I wish that I would be a prisoner like Arafat in Mukat 19:49  |  Haham me Batyam 17/10/06
  21.   Christian Arab sounds like Khalid 20:21  |  Gina 17/10/06
  22.   Hamas should never 20:30  |  Leon 17/10/06
  23.   To Pope #2 20:53  |  Blinky the Fish 17/10/06
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