After a meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leaders on Monday night, the possible formation of a national unity government between Hamas and Abbas' Fatah party was declared.
"Fatah will discuss joining the government with the candidate for the post of prime minister," Abbas told reporters in a television interview.
"The Fatah movement did not decide to stay out of the government," he said, adding, "Should the movement find common ground for dialogue with Hamas, it will have to take part in the government for the sake of the Palestinian people's interests."
Hamas members expressed similar sentiments, as the candidate for Prime Minster, Ismail Haniyeh, stated that he planned to meet with all Palestinian parties in the future "in order to form the broadest government possible."
Also during Monday's meeting, Abbas reportedly expressed his hope that following the formation of the new government, the Palestinian territories would see a drop in the recent violence and chaos that has plagued them.
He added that the Palestinian government will be bound to International agreements.
Abbas and Haniyeh also agreed to discuss the formation of a mechanism that will work toward resolving disagreements between Fatah and Hamas.
On Tuesday, Abbas is expected to officially task Haniyeh with the formation of a future Palestinian government led by Hamas.
Russia and Sweden offer emergency financial aid to Palestinians
Meanwhile, Russian announced on Monday that it would provide emergency financial assistance to the Palestinians to help compensate for funds Israel has frozen, and threats by the United States and the European Union to conditionally withhold their financial support.
Russia's funding, according to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, will be part of international humanitarian relief efforts for the Palestinian people, reported the AP.
Lavrov made the offer during a conference call on Monday with the United States, the United Nations and the European Union, which, along with Russia, comprise the so-called 'international quartet.'
Also on Monday, Sweden joined the effort with an offer of $5.3 million in humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, reported Haaretz.
The funding will be provided through the Sida agency, which distributes Swedish foreign aid. The group also provided some $11.7 million to the Palestinians last year.
The money will be channeled through the UNRWA, the relief agency for Palestinians, UNICEF, the UN children's agency, and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The funding has been designated to help purchase food and medicine, and to fund education and health care.
The announcements follow a United Nations appeal to continue humanitarian support in the occupied Palestinian areas.
© 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
