Unity government faces ongoing obstacles to its formation as factions battle for ministerial posts
It seems that there are more obstacles to the formation of the unity government than Fatah and Hamas have indicated.
Informed sources revealed that the foreign ministry post has still not been decided, the main candidate is Ziad abu Amro. According to the sources this is due to Hamas. Some parties have claimed that Hamas might want to consider holding the post, as its share of the post will be for Dr Mustapha Barghouthi.
Observers have said that Hamas are still manoeuvring in order to have more concessions from the Fatah movement and that Fatah have not yet given the green light to having Hammouda Jarwan as an independent for minister of the interior. The issue is that Jarwan is known as a former Fatah member, but was presented for the position by Hamas instead of Fatah.
Fatah opposed Samir Abu Aisha for the position of planning minister in the new government.
Amongst issues faced by the new government is that of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), as the post assigned for that party may now go to the breakaway PFLP party (PFLP-GC). This is also a problematic issue as Fatah believe that this was not agreed upon in Mecca and say that Hamas cannot make a unilateral decision regarding what to do about the rejected PFLP post.
The Palestinian People's Party (PPP) have decided to be part of the government and may get the ministry of culture post, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) have also chosen to participate in the government.
The Third Way party, which is experiencing internal differences between Salam Fayyad and Hanan Ashrawi, might experience an escalation in the dispute, especially after Fayyad accepts a role in the government as an independent. The Third Way's bloc experienced a conflict between the leadership of the bloc and its head, Dr Salam Fayyad, over his approval to take the portfolio of treasury without consulting the bloc. The Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) member of the Third Way, Dr Hanan Ashrawi, was irritated after Hamas spokesperson, Isma'il Radwan, affirmed that Fatah and Hamas agreed on appointing Fayyad to the post of treasury following president Abbas' nomination of him as an independent candidate.
Sources within Fatah, who were reportedly involved in the ongoing consultations, claimed that Dr Ashrawi demanded the ministry of education and her application was refused by Hamas. However, sources close to the Third Way denied the reports, affirming that Ashrawi insists on a clear and internationally acceptable agenda for the forthcoming government.
The Palestinian Popular Struggle Front (PPSF) said that it will support the Mecca agreement, but will not be participate in the government, despite early indications that the PPSF and FIDA (Palestinian Democratic Union) would engage in the new unity government.
Mustapha Barghouthi was put forward for minister of information although he has expressed strong intentions to hold the foreign ministry. If Barghouthi does not hold a ministerial post, another member of the Palestinian National Initiative might occupy a post. Allam Jarrar has been suggested as a substitute for Barghouthi.
The initial candidates for seats may now be subject to change, as initially Abu Amro was the strongest candidate for the foreign ministry and Jarwan for the interior.
Dr. Nasser Addin Ash-Sha'er is still candidate for the ministry of education, just as he was in the former government. Both Mohammad Barghouthi and Abu Aisha will remain in the same ministries, the labour ministry and the planning ministry, respectively.
The Fatah movement ministers list is still not finalised, with exception to Azam Al Ahmad and General Nasser Yousef, as candidates for deputy prime minister. Sources have claimed that Hakam Balawi might be also nominated for the post.
Several factions are struggling to win the ministry of education, especially Fatah and the PPP, while Hamas have insisted on keeping the portfolio.
The Mecca agreement states that Hamas will have 9 seats, with three independents to be named by Hamas; Fatah are to have 6 ministers, with another two names from the independents and each of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) blocs will have one seat in the unity government.
Crucial meeting of Abbas and Haniyeh scheduled for Sunday, but announcement of unity government delayed
Fatah and Hamas described the meeting between Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, and prime minister designate, Ismail Haniyeh, which is scheduled for Sunday, as crucial and decisive and confirmed that the meeting will involve the finalisation of the government.
Fatah and Hamas expect that the meeting will discuss the post of the minister of the interior, as the Hamas spokesman, Ismail Radwan, said that Hamas expects the president to agree on either Hamouda Jarwan or Nasser Musleh for the post. Radwan also said that it is expected that the names of Fatah ministers will be handed over in tonight's meeting.
In addition, spokesman of Fatah movement, Mahir Moqdad, said the meeting will discuss the foreign ministry post and that Ziyad Amro was named for the post. He also said that this meeting will be used to make decisions regarding many suspended issues such as the names of the Hamas ministers.
Radwan said that it is not expected that the government will be announced today, he added that it might take the rest the current week to reach this stage, hinting that this depends on the position of the other factions who intend to participate in the government, or those who have not yet responded.
Regarding the deputy prime minister post, Radwan said that there is no change in this regard; it will be a Fatah minister. Radwan said that Hamas have shown flexibility with regards to the formation of the government and extending participation to other factions.
Abu Marzouq: outcome of talks between Hamas and country leaders is positive, all support Mecca agreement
Vice-chairman of Hamas' political bureau, Dr Musa Abu Marzouq, has described the outcome of the talks between a delegation of Hamas and several country leaders as positive.
Speaking to the Palestinian Media Center he said "we noted the consideration of the Arab leaders we have met with regards to the Palestinian cause. They are supporting the internal Palestinian talks, the unity government and the refusal of preconditions in dealing with the Palestinian issue and the end of the siege''.
Abu Marzouq, who is in Malaysia with a Palestinian delegation, said that the main issue the delegation is addressing during their tour "is to brief the leaders about what was agreed upon in Mecca and to explain the agreement, in addition to discussing ways of supporting the Palestinian government and lifting the siege on Palestinians."
He also said that the delegation discussed how to encourage the United States to accept the Mecca agreement.
The delegation, headed by leader of the Hamas political bureau, Khalid Meshal, are touring many Islamic, Arab and foreign states. They began Damascus where they met Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad and have visited Egypt, Russia and now Malaysia.
Abu Marzouq said that the Russians are also supporting the Mecca agreement and the lifting of the siege. He added that since the elections last year Malaysia have called for accepting the Palestinian peoples' choice.
Abu Marzouq urged Arab leaders to adopt a clear and transparent position at the summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, next week.
Yousef Alhelou
Yousef Alhelou is a freelance Palestinian journalist based in Gaza. He can be contacted on ydamadan@hotmail.com
Please also see:
Yousef Alhelou on Israel/Palestine Agreements
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout5.php&id=3200&blz=1
Yousef Alhelou on Mecca Accords
http://www.unobserver.com/index.php?pagina=layout5.php&id=3199&blz=1