Rival Palestinian factions signed a deal in Saudi Arabia on Thursday evening on forming a unity government, Al Jazeera television reported. It said delegations from Hamas and Fatah faction were to meet Saudi King Abdullah after the signing.
Earlier at the emergency talks in Mecca, Hamas and Fatah agreed on the distribution of key cabinet posts. According to Reuters, officials said ministers have been decided for the finance and foreign ministries. The government will be headed by Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. A Fatah official will serve as a deputy prime minister. All in all, Hamas will hold nine portfolios while Fatah will have six.
There has been no agreement on who should head the interior ministry, though the sides are said to have agreed in principle it should be an independent figure, likely General Hamoda al Jerwan.
