Abbas gives PM extra two weeks to form unity govt

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas today gave Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh an extra two weeks to put together the new unity government between the rival Fatah and Hamas parties.

The move was largely a formality.

Palestinian law gives a prime minister up to five weeks to form a government.

An initial three-week period following the agreement ended today.

Abbas’ more moderate Fatah party and Haniyeh’s militant Hamas movement reached their power-sharing deal last month in Mecca,

Saudi Arabia in a last ditch attempt to quell deadly violence in the West Bank and Gaza.

While the extension was widely expected, it underscored the difficulties Abbas and Haniyeh are having in finalising the government’s programme and make-up.

The two sides remain divided over who will hold the sensitive security portfolio.

The deal also appears to fall short of international demands that the new government explicitly recognise Israel.

Abbas had hoped the deal would end international economic sanctions imposed on the outgoing Hamas-led government.

He has been trying to persuade Western donor countries to support the deal, saying it is the best he can get out of Hamas.