Hamas PM to step down within four days

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas today said he would step down within four days as part of his coalition agreement with the rival Fatah movement of President Mahmoud Abbas.

Under the deal, reached last week in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the Hamas-led government will resign, and Haniyeh will start putting together a Hamas-Fatah coalition.

Haniyeh’s resignation is only a formality, since he would retain the post as prime minister in the new government.

Haniyeh spoke to reporters before crossing from Egypt into Gaza at the Rafah crossing.