The Hamas-led Palestinian government will resign within two or three days to make way for a new unity government that could help end a Western aid boycott and resume long-frozen peace talks with Israel, a senior Palestinian negotiator said Friday.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said he hopes to tie unity efforts to a broader deal that would see Israel release Palestinian prisoners, including several jailed Hamas Cabinet ministers, in return for the release of Cpl. Gilad Shalit. Slow progress on such a deal could delay the creation of the new government.
Hamas and Fatah have already agreed in principle on a compromise candidate for prime minister: Mohammed Shabir, 60, a U.S.-educated microbiologist with ties to both factions. Abbas has reportedly assured Haniyeh that Shabir will have broad international acceptance. The goal is to satisfy Quartet demands for a Palestinian leadership that recognizes Israel, renounces violence and accepts previous peace deals.
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