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Palestinians consider new cabinet Palestinians consider new cabinet
(40 minutes later)
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has urged the West to end its boycott of the Palestinian Authority and recognise the new government of national unity.Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has urged the West to end its boycott of the Palestinian Authority and recognise the new government of national unity.
He was speaking at the opening of a parliamentary session called to approve a new cabinet comprising rival Fatah and Hamas factions. He was speaking at a parliamentary session called to approve the cabinet made of rival Fatah and Hamas factions.
The approval of the cabinet of prospective PM Ismail Haniya of Hamas is expected to be a formality. The approval of the government of prospective PM Ismail Haniya of Hamas is expected to be a formality.
Palestinians hope there will then be an end to the crippling Western boycott.
The EU and UN have indicated there could be a softening, but Israel says the government is a step backwards.The EU and UN have indicated there could be a softening, but Israel says the government is a step backwards.
Finance ministerFinance minister
The parliament opened its session shortly after 1100 local time (0900 GMT) to hear a speech from Mr Abbas, who is also the leader of Fatah.The parliament opened its session shortly after 1100 local time (0900 GMT) to hear a speech from Mr Abbas, who is also the leader of Fatah.
Ismail Haniya seems likely to have his cabinet approvedIsmail Haniya seems likely to have his cabinet approved
"This national unity wedding has received an Arab and international welcome, which we hope will be transformed into practical steps to end the siege," he said."This national unity wedding has received an Arab and international welcome, which we hope will be transformed into practical steps to end the siege," he said.
Mr Abbas also said the Palestinian people "reject violence in all its forms", and called for "mutual commitment by Israel to stop all violence".Mr Abbas also said the Palestinian people "reject violence in all its forms", and called for "mutual commitment by Israel to stop all violence".
He said the Palestinians extended their hand to Israel to "achieve the peace of freedom and equality."He said the Palestinians extended their hand to Israel to "achieve the peace of freedom and equality."
After Mr Abbas' speech, Mr Haniya was to present his planned cabinet and read a policy speech before the vote of confidence. Speaking after Mr Abbas, Prime Minister-designate Ismail Haniya began setting out the programme of his government.
If ratified, the ministers will then be sworn in at Mr Abbas' office. "The government affirms that resistance in all its forms, including popular resistance to occupation, is a legitimate right of the Palestinian people," he told lawmakers.
"Our people have the right to defend themselves from continuous Israeli aggression," Mr Haniya said.
A spokeswoman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the government would not be working with the incoming Palestinian cabinet, accusing it of endorsing the use of "terror".
Clashes between Fatah and Hamas gunmen have left scores dead
"This policy guideline that we have seen this morning includes in it, specifically, the way to achieve a Palestinian state is through resistance. Resistance is terror. Nobody should get that one wrong," spokeswoman Miri Eisin said.
If ratified, the ministers will be sworn in at Mr Abbas' office.
The Palestinian economy has been badly hit by the international embargo.The Palestinian economy has been badly hit by the international embargo.
It was imposed after the election victory in January last year of Hamas, which rejects international calls for it to recognise Israel and renounce violence.It was imposed after the election victory in January last year of Hamas, which rejects international calls for it to recognise Israel and renounce violence.
The BBC's Matthew Price in Jerusalem says the new government contains a cross section of Palestinian parties, including some ministers who recognise Israel.The BBC's Matthew Price in Jerusalem says the new government contains a cross section of Palestinian parties, including some ministers who recognise Israel.
As a result, he says, UN and EU sources have indicated there will be a softening in their stance towards the government.As a result, he says, UN and EU sources have indicated there will be a softening in their stance towards the government.
The US has also indicated it may leave the door open to some contact with the proposed finance minister.The US has also indicated it may leave the door open to some contact with the proposed finance minister.
Salam Fayyad is a Western-backed economist who is thought to be respected by the Bush administration.Salam Fayyad is a Western-backed economist who is thought to be respected by the Bush administration.
One US official said Washington would not deal with him officially but might consider unofficial contacts.One US official said Washington would not deal with him officially but might consider unofficial contacts.
Israel, however, said it would shun the new administration.Israel, however, said it would shun the new administration.
Deputy Defence Minister Ephraim Sneh said on Friday that Israel should try to deal with only Mr Abbas as a means to "drive Hamas out of power".Deputy Defence Minister Ephraim Sneh said on Friday that Israel should try to deal with only Mr Abbas as a means to "drive Hamas out of power".
Increasing lawlessnessIncreasing lawlessness
Although there have been signs of a softening in the international stance towards the new government, particularly by France and Russia, there are no guarantees the international boycott will end.Although there have been signs of a softening in the international stance towards the new government, particularly by France and Russia, there are no guarantees the international boycott will end.
Clashes between Fatah and Hamas gunmen have left scores dead
Britain has said it will only have diplomatic contact with non-Hamas members of the government.Britain has said it will only have diplomatic contact with non-Hamas members of the government.
The US says the administration must accept Israel's right to exist, renounce violence and conform to past peace deals but has otherwise reserved judgment.The US says the administration must accept Israel's right to exist, renounce violence and conform to past peace deals but has otherwise reserved judgment.
The new administration was forged after several months of fighting between the Hamas and Fatah factions left more than 140 people dead.The new administration was forged after several months of fighting between the Hamas and Fatah factions left more than 140 people dead.
Saturday's vote comes amid increasing lawlessness in the Gaza Strip.Saturday's vote comes amid increasing lawlessness in the Gaza Strip.
There has been a series of abductions over recent months of Western aid workers and journalists. Intensive efforts are continuing to find missing BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston, who is feared kidnapped.There has been a series of abductions over recent months of Western aid workers and journalists. Intensive efforts are continuing to find missing BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston, who is feared kidnapped.
On Friday, Palestinian gunmen fired on a vehicle transporting UN aid official John Ging in the northern Gaza Strip.On Friday, Palestinian gunmen fired on a vehicle transporting UN aid official John Ging in the northern Gaza Strip.