Abbas, Haneya meeting ends without agreement

A meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haneya ended on Monday night without declaring an agreement on forming a Palestinian national Unity government.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, Palestinian presidential spokesman told reporters in the aftermath of the two-hour meeting held at Abbas office in Gaza City that "more issues need more discussion."

"We haven't yet reached an agreement, but there are intensive efforts exerted in this respect, where there are many issues that need more discussion, understanding and agreement," said Abu Rudeineh.

Earlier reports said that both Abbas and Haneya had agreed to form a national unity government that ends the ongoing economical and political crisis the Palestinians have been going through over the past nine months.

"I believe there is a necessity to form a national unity government of Palestinian professionals (technocrats), where there is an agreement in principle to form such kind of a government," said Abu Rudeineh.

However, he said "there are some details and some issues that need more discussion and more understanding. We must agree on these issues and details in order to reach an agreement at the end. "

Neither President Mahmoud Abbas nor Prime Minister Haneya spoke to reporters, but mediator between the two, lawmaker Mustafa al- Barghouti told reporters that "the meeting is excellent and positive."

"It was agreed to resume contacts and meetings within the coming few days until all details and issues are agreed upon," said al-Barghouti, adding "the gaps were narrowed, but there are some details need to be discussed."

Source: Xinhua