Hamas and Fatah will present a national unity government to parliament for approval Saturday, officials from both sides said.
The decision to set a date came in a meeting Wednesday between President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas. The two were to meet again later in the day to finalize all the details, including who will be named to the key position of interior minister and take control of the security forces.
According to the AP, Fatah legislator Abdullah Abdullah said the party's parliament faction leader, Azzam al-Ahmed, has been chosen as deputy prime minister.
"The government is now ready and its composition will be announced on Thursday morning," said Nabil Abu Rudeina, a spokesman for Abbas. "On Saturday the government will likely be presented to the legislative council," he said. Deputy Parliament Speaker Ahmed Bahar, meanwhile, said he has been asked to convene a session Saturday for a vote of confidence in the new government.
