Statements by spokesmen for both Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said that the announcement of a Palestinian unity government would come this week. However the question of who would serve as interior minister, with responsibility for the Palestinian security organizations, is still a thorny issue.

Abbas is scheduled to meet with Haniyeh Sunday evening to discuss the establishment of the unity government.

Hamas favors Hamoda Jerwan, a former Fatah activist for the post, but senior Fatah figures at present oppose Jerwan because of his involvement in freeing Hamas members involved in the murder of Fatah activists. Abbas has not officially announced his opposition to the appointment.

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On Saturday, Hamas announced it had put together its list of candidates for ministerial posts in the unity government, although it did not release names. Hamas spokesman Salah Bardawil said the candidates from Gaza are not currently ministers or members of parliament, nor have they previously served as such.

Of the 12 Cabinet ministers proposed by Hamas, seven are from the West Bank and five from Gaza, Bardawil said.

Under a power-sharing agreement, Hamas can nominate 12 Cabinet ministers, including three independents, while Fatah can propose eight, including two independents. Haniyeh will remain prime minister, while Fatah will be able to fill the post of deputy prime minister

Over the weekend, Abbas appointed leaders for the Fatah movement as part of reforms he is making in the organization. At the head of the group that is to lead Fatah's grassroots organization in the West Bank is Hussein a-Sheikh, a senior, long-time Tanzim activist with close ties to Fatah strongman Mohammed Dahlan.

An active role in the West Bank Fatah leadership is to be played by East Jerusalem activists, among them Hatem Abd el-Khader, Abd el-Khader el-Hatib and Salah Zukheika. Abbas also decided to bring heads of local West Bank Fatah branches into the inner leadership circle. He recently appointed a similar body in the Gaza Strip, headed by Majd Abu Shimala, another Dahlan associate.