Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister-designate Ismail
Haneya ended their meeting midnight yesterday without announcement of the
expected national unity government.
However, the two leaders agreed to continue talks on Monday, said Ghazi
Hamad, spokesman for the Hamas-led caretaker government.
Hamas denied that there were obstacles in the meeting, saying that "There are
no obstacles and the atmosphere was very encouraging."
"During the meeting, some points were agreed upon... even the Interior
Minister post will not be an obstacle," he added.
Meanwhile, Nabil Abu Rudaina, spokesman for Abbas, also denied any "serious
problem" during the meeting, pledging that the talks will be resumed Monday.
"But the matter needs some days or no more than a week," said Abu Rudaina.
Hamas handed over its minister candidates list to Haneya on Saturday, a day
before Abbas-Haneya meeting, while Fatah did not announce its list.
Before Sunday's meeting, Palestinian sources at Abbas headquarters said that
Abbas and Haneya would discuss the nomination of the key cabinet posts of
interior minister and deputy prime minister.
However, Abbas and Haneya failed to reach a result on these two posts during
Sunday's meeting.
The two rival movements Hamas and Fatah agreed in Saudi city of Mecca last
month to form a unity government in a bid to end international siege on the
Palestinians.
However, the formation of the unity government has been in a tough talks
among Palestinian factions since the Hamas-led government resigned on Feb.
15.