Israel freezes talks as Abbas swears in unity government

President Mahmoud Abbas swore in a Palestinian unity government yesterday in a reconciliation deal with Hamas Islamists that led Israel to freeze US-brokered peace talks.

Abbas, whose Palestinian Authority in the Israeli-occupied West Bank is dependent on foreign aid, appeared to be banking on Western acceptance of a 16-member cabinet of what he described as politically unaffiliated technocrats.

Setting a policy in line with US and European Union demands, the Western-backed leader said his administration would continue to honour agreements at the foundation of a peace process with Israel.