Hamas refuses the dissolution of the ministry of prisoners

Hamas senior leader in the occupied West Bank, Sheikh Hassan Yousef, said on Thursday that his movement rejects the idea of dissolving the ministry of prisoners.

Speaking to Al-Quds TV, Sheikh Yousef said that there are still some disputes regarding the national unity government.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has demanded the dissolution of the ministry of prisoners, that Riyad Al-Maliki take the position of foreign minister and that the Pilgrimage Committee be detached from the Awqaf ministry.

On Friday, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu-Zuhri said that the disputes have meant the announcement of the unity government has been delayed.

Sheikh Yousef said that all other issues have been agreed upon, including the government’s agenda and who will be the ministers.

Several Palestinian sources said that discussions over the unity government, which should have finished on Thursday, are ongoing.

Hamas senior leader Musa Abu-Marzouq expected the government to be announced on Monday.