Hamas and Fatah present new government

“A united government that now expects great world support.” That is how the Islamic Hamas movement is describing the newly approved Palestinian government. The lineup of ministers come from Hamas and the secular Fatah group of President Mahmoud Abbas.

There are 12 Hamas ministers, six from Fatah and seven portfolios go to independents and members of smaller parties. There are high hopes the new deal will end fighting between supporters of the two groups, violence which has left up to 90 people dead.

The deal was reached when Abbas and Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh agreed on the hotly contested post of interior minister. In the end they have decided on an academic with little security experience, Hani Al-Qawasma. The new lineup goes to a vote in the Palestinian parliament on Saturday, but it’s expected to pass without a problem. Authorities hope the agreement will ease a western aid embargo imposed against the Palestinian Authority.

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