Fatah, leftists oppose Fayyad plan for unity govt
Published today (updated) 03/11/2012 19:20
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=533315

BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) -- Fatah opposes Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's proposal to
form a unity government now, but would consider it sometime after the UN
bid, a party official said Friday.

Fayyad last week presented a plan to the PLO leadership to form a more
inclusive factional government, according to two executive committee members
who heard the proposal.

On Friday, member Hanna Amira said the proposal by Fayyad was postponed
until after President Mahmoud Abbas returns from the UN where he is seeking
to upgrade Palestine's status.

Amira said it was important for the government to have a united policy as it
expects to deal with a renewed financial crisis after more sanctions from
the West after the UN decision.

Another executive committee member, Mahmoud Al-Aloul, said “Fatah doesn’t
agree on forming a united national government because the situation is not
appropriate and will not allow for any change”.

He told Ma’an: “We are busy now with the issue of going to the UN and
consequences of such a decision including threats and menaces and this is a
challenge we’re going through despite objections by big forces headed by the
US which is pressuring us intensively and perhaps blockading us financially
and cutting off aid”.

The secretary general of the Palestinian people's party, Bassam Salhi, told
Ma’an that the shape of the government is not the most important issue,
which is the financial crisis.

Qais Abu Laila of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine
called for a national dialogue about social and economic issues.