PFLP consider Haniyeh's offer to join the coalition government, Islamic Jihad decline

February 18, 2007

Gaza - Ma'an - A leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Kayid Al-Ghool, said on Saturday that his party is considering the possibility of partaking in the Palestinian coalition government, following receipt of a formal invitation from prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh, during a meeting.

Al-Ghool told Ma'an via telephone that "the PFLP have their own perspectives on the letter of entrustment, in which they see a departure from the national agreement accord, however, they are assessing whether to take part in the government."

The PFLP leader explained that the stipulation in the letter of entrustment to commit to the Arab summits' resolutions and respect internationally legitimate resolutions, were not in accordance with the national agreement accord. He also said he refuses the principle of proportional representation within the civil and military institutions, because positions should be distributed according to ability, rather than membership in factions.

Earlier, the Islamic Jihad movement informed Haniyeh formally that they refuse to partake in the coalition government. A leader of the movement, Sheikh Nafith Azzam, told Ma'an that his movement apologize for the decision, but will support the government through protecting the 'unchangeable principles' and preserving Palestinian rights.

Prime Minister Haniyeh expressed his condemnation of the American announcement about Dr Ramadan Shallah, the secretary general of the Islamic Jihad movement, who has been named a 'most wanted terrorist' by the United States and a reward has been offered to anyone who will aid his capture. He said his government is ready to do anything they can to support the prominent leader. Haniyeh also commended the role that Islamic Jihad have had in repairing the crack between Fatah and Hamas.