Fatah, Hamas and Egypt "trying to agree" on national unity government

A senior member of the Fatah Central Committee has told Al-Ayam newspaper that his movement is in touch with Egypt and Hamas “to agree on dates for further consultations regarding the formation of a national unity government” in Palestine. Azam al-Ahmad, who is in charge of dialogue for Fatah, added that he is likely to be heading to Cairo soon to meet with President Mohamed Morsi.

Mr Al-Ahmad stressed that the declaration issued by PA President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday to this effect was no surprise. “This is simply what has already been agreed,” he said. “I am surprised at the reaction of Hamas’s spokesmen who do not, I believe, represent the movement’s position.”

The Fatah official was responding to a statement made by Yusef Rizka, a Political Adviser to Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. According to Rizka, Fatah’s “lack of determination” to achieve national reconciliation was evident in President Abbas’s suspension of the reconciliation process when demanded to do so by the Obama administration, along with a return to negotiations with the Israelis.

Rizka told the Palestine Information Centre that the Palestinian Authority’s leadership is now engaging in a media battle and is taking advantage of Salam Fayyad’s resignation and the West Bank’s need to form a new government. “This will not resolve the issue of the PA’s corruption nor does it reflect serious intent,” he added.