Palestinian factions say close to deal on new PM

[Phx_Dem]

GAZA (Reuters) - A U.S.-educated Palestinian academic is the top candidate to replace Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas as part of a bid by rival factions to ease a Western aid blockade, Palestinian officials said on Monday.

A senior official said 60-year-old Mohammad Shbair, a former head of the Islamic University in Gaza considered close to the governing Hamas movement, had agreed to be nominated for the post.

But Shbair told Reuters he had not been officially approached and that no final decisions have been made.

The nomination must still be endorsed by President Mahmoud Abbas, a moderate from the previously dominant
Fatah faction.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061113/ts_nm/mideast_dc_134