Fatah leader President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas chief Khalid Mashaal
(MaanImages/File)
(MaanImages/File)
BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- President Abbas has been put forward as a candidate for prime minster of an interim government, a Ma'an source said Sunday.
The proposal was made as Abbas and Hamas chief-in-exile Khalid Mashaal agreed to form a unity government during a Sunday meeting in the Qatari capital.
The proposal was reportedly made by Qatar's Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa and endorsed by Hamas, Israeli news site Ynet said.
Sources close to Abbas, who wished to remain anonymous, told Ma'an that the decision is not certain and that the role of prime minister could be an added burden on the President.
Other sources from the meeting said that Hamas chief Khalid Mashaal had suggested Abbas for the role of prime minister.
Secretary-general of Fatah Revolutionary Council Amin Maqboul said last week that failure to appoint a new cabinet is the main obstacle to holding elections and proceeding with the deal.
After the rival factions signed a reconciliation deal in May 2011, they agreed to hold elections within a year, and appoint an interim government to unite both territories. But the parties sparred for months over the candidate to lead the unity government.
After meeting in November to kickstart the stalled deal, Mashaal and Abbas indicated that elections would still be held by May 2012, but Abbas has yet to issue a presidential decree which is required three months prior to the vote.
The proposal was made as Abbas and Hamas chief-in-exile Khalid Mashaal agreed to form a unity government during a Sunday meeting in the Qatari capital.
The proposal was reportedly made by Qatar's Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa and endorsed by Hamas, Israeli news site Ynet said.
Sources close to Abbas, who wished to remain anonymous, told Ma'an that the decision is not certain and that the role of prime minister could be an added burden on the President.
Other sources from the meeting said that Hamas chief Khalid Mashaal had suggested Abbas for the role of prime minister.
Secretary-general of Fatah Revolutionary Council Amin Maqboul said last week that failure to appoint a new cabinet is the main obstacle to holding elections and proceeding with the deal.
After the rival factions signed a reconciliation deal in May 2011, they agreed to hold elections within a year, and appoint an interim government to unite both territories. But the parties sparred for months over the candidate to lead the unity government.
After meeting in November to kickstart the stalled deal, Mashaal and Abbas indicated that elections would still be held by May 2012, but Abbas has yet to issue a presidential decree which is required three months prior to the vote.
Maan News Agency
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