Fatah leads talks to form new Palestinian gov't

By Qays Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah group on Monday began consultations with other Palestinian factions and figures to form a new government, according to a leading group member.

The consultations are being held with members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and independent figures amid crippling reconciliation efforts with Hamas.

"Fatah is the largest faction of the PLO and has the right to propose a [new] head of the government," Majed al-Fatiani, Secretary-General of Fatah's Central Committee, said in a statement.

He said "the intransigence of Hamas and its refusal to deal with the government of national reconciliation" prompted the Palestinian leadership to think about forming a new government.

Hamas and Fatah have been at odds since the former seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 from Fatah after street fighting.

By Qays Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah group on Monday began consultations with other Palestinian factions and figures to form a new government, according to a leading group member.

The consultations are being held with members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and independent figures amid crippling reconciliation efforts with Hamas.

"Fatah is the largest faction of the PLO and has the right to propose a [new] head of the government," Majed al-Fatiani, Secretary-General of Fatah's Central Committee, said in a statement.

He said "the intransigence of Hamas and its refusal to deal with the government of national reconciliation" prompted the Palestinian leadership to think about forming a new government.

Hamas and Fatah have been at odds since the former seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 from Fatah after street fighting.