Cabinet for new unity government decided, PLC to hold vote of confidence on Saturday

(clockwise from top left) Abu Amr,Al-'Aalool, Al-Ahmad, As-Salhi,Barghouthi, Fayyad (MaanImages)

March 14, 2007

Gaza - Ma'an - The cabinet for the forthcoming Palestinian unity government is expected to be announced on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. Ma'an has learned the names of all the candidates except those of Hamas. They are as follows:

• Deputy Prime Minister: Azzam Al-Ahmad

• Minister of Agriculture: Mahmoud Al-'Aalool

• Minister of Prisoners' Affairs: Tayseer Abu Sneina

• Minister of Health: Radwan Al-Akhras

• Minister of State: Khulood Issa

• Minister of Transportation: Sa'di Al-Krunz

• Minister of Foreign Affairs: Ziad Abu Amr

• Minister of Culture: Bassam As-Salhi

• Minister of Treasury: Salam Fayyad

• Minister of Interior: Hani Qawasmi

• Minister of Information: Mustafa Barghouthi

• Minister of Social Affairs and Tourism: Salih Zeidan

The acting speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), Dr Ahmad Bahar has called a session on Saturday at 11am in Ramallah, in the central West bank and in Gaza City through video conference, to vote on confidence for the new government.

The spokesperson of the interim Palestinian government, Ghazi Hamad, said on Wednesday that the designate Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyeh, has sent a letter to the acting speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), Dr Ahmad Bahar, asking for the PLC to conduct a vote of confidence on Saturday for the new unity government.

In his letter, Haniyeh confirmed that the government is committed to endeavoring to release the speaker of the PLC, Dr Aziz Dweik, and the other detained members and ministers.

The new Palestinian unity government will be the 11th Palestinian government.