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Palestinians 'strike unity deal' Palestinians 'strike unity deal'
(about 1 hour later)
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has said a deal has been reached with the militant group Hamas on the policies of a national unity government. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has said a deal has been struck with the militant group Hamas on the policies of a national unity government.
This follows comments earlier on Monday by the Prime Minister, Ismail Haniya of Hamas, that talks had been positive. Hamas confirmed the agreement, though the deal's details are unclear.
Both men said a formal announcement on the formation of the coalition would come in the next few days. Palestinians are hoping that a national unity government will open the way for international aid donors to end their boycott of the Palestinian Authority.
Talks with Mr Abbas, who heads the former ruling party Fatah, and Mr Haniya have been going on for months. A formal announcement on the formation of the unity government would come in the next few days.
During a visit to the West Bank on Sunday, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said a unity government that recognised Israel would allow Western donors to end an aid boycott that has crippled the Palestinian Authority. I bring good news to the Palestinian people and I feel proud and content that at this important moment we establish a national coalition government Mahmoud Abbas
Talks between Mr Abbas, who heads the former ruling party Fatah, and the Prime Minister, Hamas' Ismail Haniya, have been going on for months.
During a visit to the West Bank on Sunday, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said a unity government that recognised Israel would allow donors to end the crippling aid boycott.
Hamas wants a unity government, but a spokesman rejected the UK proposal.Hamas wants a unity government, but a spokesman rejected the UK proposal.
Sami Abu Zuhri said the group was ready to ready to form a government with Fatah, but "not according to conditions that are dictated".Sami Abu Zuhri said the group was ready to ready to form a government with Fatah, but "not according to conditions that are dictated".
Details unknown
Whether the international community lifts the aid embargo on the Palestinian Authority is likely to depend on the details of the Hamas-Fatah deal.
Mr Blair spoke of a "window of opportunity" for peace Blair and Abbas
The key issues are a Hamas renunciation of violence, recognition of Israel and acceptance by Hamas of peace agreements signed by Israel and the Palestinians.
The international aid boycott on the Palestinian Authority was imposed after Hamas came to power earlier this year because of the group's refusal to renounce violence or recognise Israel.
The aid embargo has crippled the authority, which has been unable to pay its tens of thousands of employees.
In the Gaza Strip, living conditions for Palestinians have reached breaking point, the UN warned recently.
Israel has kept Gaza's borders largely sealed for months and conducts regular military operations, prompted in part by the capture of an Israeli soldier.
It appears that Mr Haniya will hold onto the premiership in any unity government that emerges.
Talks prospects
Mr Blair's meetings with Mr Abbas and with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appear to have brought the prospect of talks between the two men closer - both said they were ready for talks without pre-conditions.
However, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told Israeli TV on Sunday that talks based on the internationally backed roadmap regional peace plan were out of the question as long as Hamas remained committed to violence.
Monday saw Israeli forces shoot dead a Palestinian man and wound two others near the West Bank town of Jenin, Palestinian doctors said.
Witnesses said the troops opened fire on a car travelling from the village of Roumane, killing the head of the local village council.
Israel radio reported that the army had detained 13 militants in several parts of the West Bank.
On Sunday, Palestinians said a teenager was killed and another wounded when an Israeli tank fired a shell in southern Gaza. The Israeli military said soldiers fired at Palestinians suspected of planting a bomb.