Abbas, Mashaal To Form Unity Government

President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas chief-in-exile Khalid Mashaal agreed to form a unity government during a Sunday meeting in the Qatari capital.

A source from the Doha meeting, who wished to remain anonymous, told Ma’an that the Palestinian leaders agreed to form an interim government which will be responsible for preparing parliamentary and presidential elections.

The meeting was held in the presence of Qatar’s Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa and was clear and concise, the source said.

A meeting will be held late Sunday to discuss candidates to head the government, according to the source.

Secretary-general of Fatah Revolutionary Council Amin Maqboul said last week that failure to appoint a new cabinet is the main obstacle to holding elections and proceeding with the deal.

After the rival factions signed a reconciliation deal in May 2011, they agreed to hold elections within a year, and appoint an interim government to unite both territories. But the parties sparred for months over the candidate to lead the unity government.

After meeting in November to kickstart the stalled deal, Mashaal and Abbas indicated that elections would still be held by May 2012, but Abbas has yet to issue a presidential decree which is required three months prior to the vote.