BICOM

Azzam Ahmed, a spokesman for the Fatah team engaged in negotiations with Hamas, said yesterday that a new unity cabinet would be unveiled next week, at a meeting between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Mashal in Cairo. No details have emerged, however, regarding the composition of the new cabinet, Ahmed confirmed that the sides have not yet reached agreement regarding who will serve as prime minister. He also refused to confirm or deny reports that Fatah and Hamas had agreed that current PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad would not continue in his post in the new cabinet. Hamas, according to reports, is fiercely opposed to Fayyad’s continuing in his position. Fatah, meanwhile, is concerned that western funding for the PA could be put in jeopardy if Fayyad is forced to leave his post.