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US cool on Palestinian government | US cool on Palestinian government |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Washington has reacted with caution to the installation of a new Palestinian unity government. | Washington has reacted with caution to the installation of a new Palestinian unity government. |
The US said the initial policy speech by PM Ismail Haniya was disappointing and the reference to the "right to resistance" was "disturbing". | The US said the initial policy speech by PM Ismail Haniya was disappointing and the reference to the "right to resistance" was "disturbing". |
Israel flatly rejected the government but the EU said it would work with it if it recognised Israel's right to exist and renounced violence. | Israel flatly rejected the government but the EU said it would work with it if it recognised Israel's right to exist and renounced violence. |
Palestinians hope the formation of the coalition will end a Western boycott. | Palestinians hope the formation of the coalition will end a Western boycott. |
The administration brings together Mr Haniya's Hamas and its rival faction, Fatah, led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. | The administration brings together Mr Haniya's Hamas and its rival faction, Fatah, led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. |
The unity government was forged after several months of fighting between the factions left more than 140 people dead. | The unity government was forged after several months of fighting between the factions left more than 140 people dead. |
Syrian call | Syrian call |
The Palestinian parliament voted to approve the government on Saturday and new ministers were sworn in. | The Palestinian parliament voted to approve the government on Saturday and new ministers were sworn in. |
This is a great disappointment and a severe blow to peace Sallai Meridor,Israeli ambassador to US | This is a great disappointment and a severe blow to peace Sallai Meridor,Israeli ambassador to US |
In his speech, Mr Haniya said: "The government affirms that resistance in all its forms, including popular resistance to occupation, is a legitimate right of the Palestinian people. | In his speech, Mr Haniya said: "The government affirms that resistance in all its forms, including popular resistance to occupation, is a legitimate right of the Palestinian people. |
"Our people have the right to defend themselves from continuous Israeli aggression." | "Our people have the right to defend themselves from continuous Israeli aggression." |
But Mr Haniya also said his Cabinet would work on maintaining a truce if Israel would stop its "occupation aggression". | But Mr Haniya also said his Cabinet would work on maintaining a truce if Israel would stop its "occupation aggression". |
US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said: "The... reference to 'right of resistance' is disturbing and contradicts directly the Quartet principle of renunciation of violence." | US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said: "The... reference to 'right of resistance' is disturbing and contradicts directly the Quartet principle of renunciation of violence." |
The principle - of the US, UN, EU and Russia Quartet - also requires the recognition of Israel and adherence to past peace deals. | The principle - of the US, UN, EU and Russia Quartet - also requires the recognition of Israel and adherence to past peace deals. |
Clashes between Fatah and Hamas gunmen have left scores dead | Clashes between Fatah and Hamas gunmen have left scores dead |
Mr McCormack said the speech was "a missed opportunity" to commit to peace. | Mr McCormack said the speech was "a missed opportunity" to commit to peace. |
He said the US would still work with Mr Abbas but that other contacts would be on a case-by-case basis. | He said the US would still work with Mr Abbas but that other contacts would be on a case-by-case basis. |
A spokeswoman for Israeli PM Ehud Olmert accused the new Cabinet of endorsing the use of "terror". | A spokeswoman for Israeli PM Ehud Olmert accused the new Cabinet of endorsing the use of "terror". |
Sallai Meridor, Israel's ambassador in Washington, added: "This is a great disappointment and a severe blow to peace." | |
But the European Union said it welcomed the formation of the government, although it remained cautious about a possible resumption of aid. | But the European Union said it welcomed the formation of the government, although it remained cautious about a possible resumption of aid. |
"The EU will carefully assess the platform and actions of the new government and its ministers," it said in a statement. | "The EU will carefully assess the platform and actions of the new government and its ministers," it said in a statement. |
Syria expressed its full support for the government. | Syria expressed its full support for the government. |
"Damascus demands the lifting of the embargo imposed on the Palestinian people," by the West, a statement in state news agency Sana read. | "Damascus demands the lifting of the embargo imposed on the Palestinian people," by the West, a statement in state news agency Sana read. |
The embargo was imposed after the election victory in January last year of Hamas, which has rejected international calls for it to recognise Israel. | The embargo was imposed after the election victory in January last year of Hamas, which has rejected international calls for it to recognise Israel. |
Alone among Western nations, Norway immediately recognised the new government and announced the lifting of sanctions. | Alone among Western nations, Norway immediately recognised the new government and announced the lifting of sanctions. |
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