MIDLE EAST

FEBRUARY 15 2007 21:24h

Abbas Asks Haniyeh To Form Unity Govt

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President Mahmoud Abbas asked Ismail Haniyeh to form a new palestine government.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas asked Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas on Thursday to form a new unity government.

"Mr Ismail Haniyeh, we designate you to form the Palestinian government," Abbas told Haniyeh at a joint news conference in Gaza City, after accepting Haniyeh's resignation as a first step toward forming the joint government and ending factional fighting.