Haniyeh to from new government

cctv.com 02-23-2006 08:48

Hamas is one step closer to forming a government in the Palestinian territories. Prime Minister-designate Ismail Haniyeh says he wants to build a national coalition. But Israel says it won't talk to Hamas until it renounces violence.

Haniyeh says he received a letter from President Mahmoud Abbas, asking him to form the new government.

Haniyeh said: "We have started consultations with Palestinian factions about formation of government, aimed to reach the largest national coalition possible and in order to win the confidence of the parliament."

Hamas has rejected talks with Israel, despite Abbas' call to follow his guidelines and recognize past Palestinian peace deals with Israel.

On the Israel side, Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is likely to be grilled by lawmakers on the latest developments on the diplomatic front when he makes hi first appearance before the parliament since becoming the Israeli leader.

He has said Israel does not rule out the possibility of talking with the Palestinians. But he adds Hamas must renounce violence, recognize Israel's right to exist and accept past interim peace accords.

The diplomatic standoff is also being complicated by continued raids by Israel.

Israeli troops shot and wounded seven Palestinians in the West Bank on Tuesday. And a four-year-old Palestinian boy was wounded early Wednesday when his home in the northern Gaza Strip was hit by Israeli fire.

Editor:Wang Ping  Source:CCTV.com