More factions agree to join Palestinian national unity gov't: Haneya's aide

An aide to Palestinian Prime Minister- designate Ismail Haneya said on Tuesday that the People Party and the Third Road parliamentary bloc agreed to join an upcoming national unity government.

"The leaders of the People Party and the Third Road have given their final approval to join the government," said Ahmed Yousef, political advisor to Haneya.

Yousef added that other factions "have shown interest" to participate in the government except for the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

Salam Fayyad, a member of the Third Road which has two seats at the parliament, had announced that he was going to participate in the coalition.

But Basam al-Salhi, Secretary-General of the People Party, did not confirm or deny his party's approval to join it.

"Our participation depends on the government's reaction to the issues we raised," al-Salhi told Xinhua, adding that the issues are mostly social and economic ones involving education, agriculture, security and the right of public works.

Yousef, meanwhile, said Hamas and Fatah have not yet agreed on the interior minister who has to be independent, adding that this issue would be discussed in an expected meeting between Haneya and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Yousef continued that the second round of talks will continue this week to select the ministers.

Meanwhile, Mustafa al-Barghouti of the National Initiative Party expressed his initial approval to join the government.

"I confirm my support to the national unity government because it is the only political exit of the current crisis," al-Barghouti said in an interview with Voice of Palestine radio.

Source: Xinhua