Palestine unity govt to be announced Feb 18

Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) member Azzam Al-Ahmad, also the official spokesperson on the reconciliation issue, told London-based Arabic language newspaper Al-Hayat that the Palestinian unity government will be announced on February 18. "The idea to let Abbas lead the government was Hamas's and Abbas approved it immediately," Al-Ahmed said. "This is the first time that Abbas has approved such a suggestion. The idea is not new, but the president kept refusing it," Al-Ahmad added. "As for me, I discussed the idea previously with Hamas members two years ago and they also kept hesitating, but in the end they accepted." Al-Ahmad said: "President Abbas will inform the Palestinian parties about the Doha agreement when he comes back, and he discuss the government's members with them." He continued: "The PLO's meeting will take place in Cairo on February 18 with the participation of the Parties' secretaries, such as Hamas and the Islamic Jihad." Al-Ahmad said that "the government would consist of independent national representatives who don't belong to any party". Regarding the Israeli-American response to the Palestinian meeting in Doha, he said: "I assume that America and Israel don't want the Palestinians to be united because the Palestinian division is a way to halt the peace process and a justification of why these two countries haven't implemented international law." Al-Ahmad assured that "Israel and America would be annoyed if Abbas's government withdraws the most important agreement from these two countries - which is the conditions of the International Quartet - as a way to protest the policy of any country. The Arab League praises President Mahmoud Abbas."