Hamas & Fatah agree on new Palestinian Prime Minister

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-14-2006 08:32

Palestinian parties are close to agreeing on a new prime minister who will replace Ismail Haniyeh. Negotiators from both Hamas and Fatah say they'll name Mohammed Shabir as head of a long awaited unity government.

60-year-old Shabir headed Gaza's Islamic University until 2005 and has a doctorate in microbiology from the University of West Virginia. He is considered to be close to Hamas but not an active supporter.

Palestinians hope a new prime minister and a unity cabinet will ease Western sanctions.

Ismail Haniyeh said, “We agreed on the principle that the issue of the prime minister is open to discussion. We will name a prime minister who will respect the Palestinian direction, who aims to bring success to this whole project.”

Mohamed Shubair, a said candidate to be the new prime minister of the Palestinian national unity government, said on Monday that he would not hesitate to accept the offer once it is officially presented. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)