GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip, Sept. 11, 2006
Palestinians Agree To Coalition
End Of Fatah-Hamas Impasse Could Restore Israeli And Western Funds
-
-
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, left, meets with President Mahmoud Abbas in Gaza City, Sept. 11, 2006. (AP)
-
Ayman al-Zawahri in a video released in April. (AP Photo/IntelCenter)
-
Legislator Saad Hariri, left, speaks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, center, and Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora, right, at the grave of Lebanon's slain former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in Beirut, Sept. 11, 2006. (AP)
-
Marines stand at attention during a ceremony marking the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks at the United States Consulate in Jerusalem, Sept. 11, 2006. (AP)
-
A woman protesting the Beirut visit of British Prime Minister Tony Blair is led away, Sept. 11, 2006. (AP)
-
-
Interactive Mideast Conflict Events, key players and a history of the world's most unstable region.
-
Photo Essay Fragile Cease-Fire Tens of thousands of Lebanese return home and some Israeli troops withdraw as tenuous cease-fire takes hold.
-
Photo Essay Historic Vote Palestinians vote in their first parliamentary election in a decade.
There were no immediate details on the provisions of the developing coalition agreement, or whether it would go far enough to end the international economic siege. But both sides said it was based on a proposal that many have interpreted to imply recognition of Israel, a key international demand.
The West and Israel have been withholding hundreds of millions of dollars from the Hamas-led government, which swept January parliamentary elections, because of the group's refusal to disarm, recognize Israel and accept existing peace agreements.
Hamas' has been unable to pay the salaries of 165,000 government employees since it took power six months ago, leaving the Palestinian Authority in disarray, reports CBS News correspondent Robert Berger.
In other developments:
Hamas and Fatah have been negotiating for months to form a coalition. Abbas interrupted a meeting with Haniyeh on Monday to invite Palestinian media to hear his announcement.
"The continuous efforts to form a national unity government have ended successfully with the announcement of a political program for this government," Abbas told Palestinian television and the official WAFA news agency. "Efforts in the next few days will continue to complete the formation of the national unity government."
"The national interest requires that all our people unite to head in stable steps so we can achieve victory by establishing our independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital," Abbas added.
Ismail Haniyeh, who said earlier in the day that he would retain his post under such a government, confirmed that the two parties planned to rule together.
"I bring good news to the Palestinian people and I feel proud and content that at this important moment we establish a national coalition government," Haniyeh said.
Abbas aide Nabil Abu Rdeneh said the president would dissolve the existing Hamas-led government within 48 hours to pave the way for the formation of a coalition.
Palestinian lawmaker Saeb Erekat, who is close to Abbas, said final details of the coalition agreement had to be ironed out. Those details will help to decide whether the new coalition, if formed, wins the recognition the international community has denied the Hamas-only government.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said Israel hoped any future Palestinian government would accept the three international demands, and facilitate the release of an Israeli soldier captured by Hamas-linked militants more than two months ago.
©MMVI CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
More From World
Add a Comment
- Personal Responsibility! The Palestinians voted in Hamas a terrorist organization. This is the same group that on 9/11 were dancing at the death of the murdered Americans by Islamic Terrorist. The people of Lebanon for six years help build concrete bunkers for Hezbollah moving over 12,000 missiles not to mention the small arms ammunition. The Lebanese people also voted into office the terrorist group Hezbollah. So when Hezbollah/Lebanon attacked Israel, Israel attacked back. I say well done Israel I am only sorry the world pressure made Israel stop. As far as the Palestinians they disserve no blank check either to walk free from responsibility. Electing terrorist in office. I am sick of giving money to the Palestinian/Islamic groups just to have them dance on 9/11 at the murdered Americans. No more excuses: bad childhood, another race of people, no TV, too much TV, no mother, SO WHAT everyone has something to be upset over, but that does not give you the right to KILL!
- Reply to this comment
- A real shame on Tony Blair visiting Lebanon, after all what he stood for during the savage Israeli attacks on Lebanon, civilian population, civilian targets and civilian infrastructure. He also promised to dedicate the last days in office to find a solution for the Israeli-Palestinian cause. Big promise. What a wham... If that is the case, the last time a Brit personnality promised somthing, it was the creation of an Israeli state on the Palestinian Land (Balfour treaty). So please Tony go back home, keep your Sterling 40M and retire. You have caused enough havoc elsewhere in the middle-east, being the Poodle of GWBush.
- Reply to this comment
