This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6136682.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Palestinian PM offers to resign Palestinian PM offers to resign
(40 minutes later)
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of the ruling Hamas group has said he is willing to resign if this will end a Western aid boycott.Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of the ruling Hamas group has said he is willing to resign if this will end a Western aid boycott.
Mr Haniya made the comments after talks on a unity government with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. His comments came after talks on a unity government with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
He said that good progress was being made in the talks. Sanctions were imposed this year by Israel and Western countries, which see Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
Sanctions were imposed on the authority earlier this year by Israel and Western countries, which regard Hamas as a terrorist organisation. "If we have to choose between the siege and myself, we must lift the siege and end the suffering," Mr Haniya said.
Mr Haniya said the discussions on forming a unity government were yielding results and that he hoped a new cabinet could be in place within three weeks.
Despite intense international pressure, Hamas has refused to recognise Israel, renounce violence and respect previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements.Despite intense international pressure, Hamas has refused to recognise Israel, renounce violence and respect previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements.
Hamas and Fatah are also locked in a power struggle and the political differences between them remain deep.Hamas and Fatah are also locked in a power struggle and the political differences between them remain deep.
Mr Haniya said the Americans and Europeans did not want him to lead any new unity government in the Palestinian territories.
He said that if he had to choose between remaining prime minister and lifting what he called the siege, he would prefer to ease the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Mr Haniya said talks on a Palestinian unity government would resume next week and that he hoped a new cabinet could be in place within three weeks.
Sanctions were imposed on the Palestinian government earlier this year by Israel and Western countries, which regard Hamas as a terrorist organisation.