Salam Fayyad
Photo: Reuters
Hamas-Fatah at odds over future premiership
Fatah's wish to see current Palestinian PM continue as head of future unity government said to be cause for new rift between factions
Fatah's expressed wish to see current Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad continue as head of future Hamas-Fatah unity government is said to be the cause for a new rift between the factions, just weeks after signing what was called a historic reconciliation.
Hamas official Dr. Salah Bardawil said Sunday that the movement will oppose such a move by Fatah: "We will not hand over the unity government to Fayyad, who has driven the West Bank into debt," he said.
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The Palestinian factions are set to meet on Tuesday and discuss the future premiership further.
Fayyad, who enjoys a somewhat international consensus as a statesman, is the preferred choice by many, as his appointment is likely to appease the West, which is wary of Fatah's newfound unity with Hamas. The latter appears on the global terror watch list of all Western nations.
Fayyad has skillfully used his status to bolster Palestinian Authority institutions, but Hamas sees him as a pawn of the West.
Elior Levy is Ynet's Palestinian affairs correspondent
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