Hamas, Fatah to Present Unity Government Saturday

Representatives of the rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah say they will present a unity government to Parliament Saturday for a vote of confidence. No further details were announced.

The parties agreed during mediation last month in Saudi Arabia to form a unity government in the hope of ending months of factional fighting.

The Saudi Arabia agreement did not require Hamas to recognize Israel or renounce violence. The United States, the European Union and Israel classify Hamas as a terrorist group.

In other news, an aide to moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the Palestinian leadership rejects any changes to a 2002 Saudi peace initiative on the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

The Saudi plan calls for Israel to withdraw from all territories seized during the 1967 Six-Day War in exchange for normal relations with all Arab countries. A Palestinian state would be established in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Arab leaders are expected to formally revive the plan at a summit later this month. But Israel says the plan has some problems, especially a demand for a Palestinian right of return to homes owned in Israel before the 1967 war. - VOA News