Palestinians agree on centre-ground PM

The rival Fatah and Hamas movements have agreed on a candidate for prime minister of their emerging coalition government, turning to a US-educated professor to end months of infighting and help lift a painful international aid boycott.

The agreement was the strongest sign of progress in the negotiations, which have dragged on for months but it remained unclear if the new government, which negotiators said could be named within a week, would be acceptable to the West - especially if it kept baulking at the key issue of recognising Israel.

Both Israel and the US signalled a willingness yesterday to talk to the Palestinian government if it moderated itself, though each said they would have to see the programme of the new government before passing judgment.

The compromise deal to make Mohammed Shabir prime minister was announced in Syria by Moussa Abu Marzouk, a top official in Hamas’ exiled leadership. President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah also supported the nomination, aides said.

Hamas and Fatah hope 60-year-old Shabir, a soft-spoken intellectual with a doctorate in microbiology from West Virginia University, will help persuade Israel and the West to lift economic sanctions imposed after the current Hamas-led government took office in March.

The international community says the Palestinian government must renounce violence and recognise Israel’s right to exist – conditions that Hamas repeatedly rejected.

Shabir has never voiced his positions on Israel in public, but colleagues describe him as pragmatic. Speaking to Israel’s Haaretz daily, Shabir signalled a willingness to deal with Israel, saying he would act “realistically” if he was nominated formally.

Shabir is well known in the Gaza Strip and has the stature to bridge the differences between Hamas and Abbas’ more moderate Fatah. The power struggle between the sides has periodically erupted into violence in recent months.

Shabir served as president of Gaza’s Islamic University, a Hamas stronghold, for 15 years before retiring last year. In the high-profile position, Shabir maintained good relations with Hamas.

Many senior Hamas officials worked or taught at the university, including the current prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh, who was Shabir’s chief of staff. While believed to be sympathetic to Hamas, Shabir is not known to be a member.

Shabir also enjoys a good relationship with Fatah. When long-time Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was still alive, Shabir was a frequent visitor. He also maintains contact with Arafat’s successor, Abbas.

If nominated, Shabir would lead an emerging government of experts – acceptable to the major political parties but independent of them – that Abbas hopes will satisfy the international demands.

Officials say the so-called technocrat government would take a vague position towards Israel and focus on internal Palestinian affairs, while allowing Abbas to pursue peace talks with Israel.

Both Hamas and Fatah officials have insisted the United States and European Union are ready to end their sanctions after the next government is named.

American and European officials said yesterday their positions had not changed, reiterating their demands that the Palestinian government renounce violence, recognise Israel and accept past peace deals.

However, in a possible sign that a deal could be in the works, US diplomats said they had been in close contact with Abbas as he tried to assemble the new government.

“We are interested to hear what he has to say,” said Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm, adding: “We’re not in any position to approve or disapprove candidates.”

She said the US would take a stance on the next government once it saw the platform.