Gaza City, Sept 12 (ZEENEWS.COM) Palestinian leaders agreed today on the formation of a National Unity Government in a move that could end months of political and economic crisis and pave the way for a resumption of western aid
Current Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of the Islamist Movement Hamas will be tasked with forming the new administration, a Palestinian official said following the announcement of a deal.
"We have finished defining the political programme of a national unity government, based on the National Reconciliation Document," Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told reporters after talks with Haniya.
"In the coming days, we will start the process of forming this new government and we appeal to our people to support our efforts," Abbas said.
Hamas and Abbas`s Fatah party now have to agree on the makeup of a future cabinet to complete the process of forming the government, which could lead to western funding once again flowing into the economically shattered Palestinian territories.
Following the announcement, Abbas called on striking civil servants, who have been protesting non-payment of salaries, owing to the financial meltdown following the western aid cuts, to return to work.
"We call for a return to work and the end of the strike because all the sons of the Palestinian people should unite together in the national interest," Abbas said.