Mahmoud Abbas Named as Interim Govt Head

Monday 6 February 2012

Mahmoud Abbas Named as Interim Govt Head

[ 06/02/2012 - 10:52 AM ]

DOHA, (PIC)-- A well informed Palestinian source has affirmed media reports that a tentative agreement was reached between Fatah and Hamas in Doha naming Mahmoud Abbas as premier in addition to his current duties as PA chief.

The source told the PIC reporter on Sunday night that other reconciliation issues were discussed during the meeting between Abbas and Khaled Mishaal, the Hamas leader, which progressed in a positive atmosphere.

He said, however, no names were chosen for the ministerial portfolios in the expected government.

Political bureau member of Hamas Ezzet Al-Resheq had said that the Abbas-Mishaal meeting in Doha targeted discussing reconciliation files topped by the government formation, the PLO, political detention, and general elections.

He said in a press release on Sunday that Mishaal and Abbas opened their first meeting in the presence of Amir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

Mahmoud Abbas Named as Interim Govt Head

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas will lead an interim national consensus government to prepare for upcoming elections, under an agreement signed on Monday in the Qatari capital.

The "Doha Declaration" was signed by Abbas and Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal in the presence of Qatar's emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani in Doha. The agreement states that the new Palestinian government will comprise "independent technocrats," and will also be responsible for overseeing reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip.

The new government will be responsible for the "smooth implementation of presidential and parliamentary elections," according to the declaration which was read out to reporters. It did not specify when the elections will be held.

The declaration came after two days of talks between Meshaal and Abbas on issues arising from a reconciliation agreement signed by the two factions last April. A separate meeting that will bring together all other Palestinian factions will be held in Cairo on February 18.

"That's when we'll set the date for the parliamentary and presidential elections," a Palestinian official told AFP before Monday's declaration.

Among other major issues to be decided in Cairo are elections for the Palestinian National Council (PNC), the legislative body of the Palestine Liberation Organisation which does not include Hamas, the official said.