The Palestinian Hamas-led government asked the Quartet Committee convening in
New York on Tuesday to reconsider its decision to cut off financial aid to the
Palestinians.
Prime Minister Ismail Haneya made the call shortly before he started the
fifth cabinet meeting in Gaza.
The Quartet, which comprises of the United Nations, the United States, Russia
and the European Union, is meeting in New York on Tuesday to discuss a response
to the Hamas-led Palestinian government, which is deep in a financial crisis.
Due to Hamas rejection to recognize Israel and renounce violence, members of the
Quartet suspended financial support to the Palestinians after Hamas took office
in late March. The Quartet, which has been a long-time peace mediator over the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict, backed a two-state solution outlined in the road
map peace plan.
However, the road map which was put forward in 2003, has been badly stalled
due to endless violence.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said that the Palestinian government
is expecting a new timetable to implement the peace plan.
"It's still early to expect so much in the Quartet convention, however, there
are serious bids to fix a new deadline for implementing the roadmap," Erekat was
quoted by Voice of Palestine as saying.