Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Palestinian national unity talks have been hampered by
another dispute amid a Hamas demand for a majority of the Cabinet portfolios
of the Palestinian Authority.

Palestinian sources said Hamas has issued new conditions for a national unity government with the rival Fatah movement, meant to be headed by PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. They said Hamas political bureau chief Khaled Masha’al has demanded most of the portfolios in any PA coalition with Fatah.

“Masha’al has agreed that Abbas would be prime minister, but the price is that Hamas retains a majority of the Cabinet,” a Palestinian source said.

The sources said Hamas wants the right to choose a majority of Cabinet portfolios. They said Masha’al cited the PA elections in 2006 in which Hamas trounced Fatah and formed the government.

Hamas, wracked by an internal dispute over Abbas, has already requested control over all the leading Cabinet portfolios. The sources identified them as the Finance Ministry, Interior Ministry and Justice Ministry, which would give Hamas authority of PA security and budget.

Abbas, who also heads Fatah, has rejected the Hamas demand. The sources
said the latest dispute has again stalled negotiations between the rival
Palestinian movements.

“Abbas wants a government of technocrats that is recognized
internationally,” the source said.

  Finance Ministry, Hamas demands control of cabinet in Palestinian unity government, Interior Ministry, Justice Ministry, Khaled Masha’al, Mahmoud Abbas, national unity government, stalled negotiations