Sources: Hamas agrees to join unity government ahead of elections

[oberliner]

NABLUS (Ma'an) -- Hamas has officially notified Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas of the movement's decision to join a national unity government which will prepare for upcoming presidential and parliamentarian elections, sources told Ma’an on Tuesday.

The sources, allegedly privy to the details, said that Abbas had previously received two phone calls from Hamas' chief Khalid Mashaal and from prime minister of the Hamas-run government in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh.

The two allegedly confirmed to Abbas that Hamas had agreed to join a national unity government with Fatah.

The sources pointed out that Hamas requested that the national unity government serve for six months instead of three as agreed in the 2012 Doha Agreement, one of numerous attempts at reconciliation between the rival Palestinian factions.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=657724

[azurnoir]

2. Good news but will this be a reason for Israel to withdraw or the US to cancel

the current round of 'negotiations'?

[jessie04]

3. Great....I hope Abbas goes over there...

And shakes a lot of hands and gets to know the people of Gaza.

[oberliner]

4. Abbas is probably more popular over there than Haniyeh

At least according to recent surveys.

[jessie04]

5. Even better than.

I'm sure they will give him their own special welcome if and when he goes there.

[azurnoir]

6. Can you describe for us the "welcome" you're envisioning?

don't spare the details either, please