Abbas says will not reject Hamas cabinet list

GAZA, Mar 19 (Reuters) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas today said he would not reject a cabinet put together by the Islamic militant group Hamas and expected to submit the list soon to parliament for a vote of confidence.

Prime Minister designate-Ismail Haniyeh is expected to present the government list to Abbas around 5.00 p.m. (2030 hrs) in Gaza.

Abbas said he yet to see the names.

''Today I will meet brother Ismail Haniyeh and we will see the (formation) of the cabinet and after that the legal procedures will take place such as going to the (parliament) and the swearing in,'' Abbas said at a news conference in Gaza.

''Regarding calling on the parliament to convene, it will be very soon.'' Aides to Abbas had said he would not reject the cabinet even though he wants Hamas to change its government agenda, which calls for resistance against Israel by any means.

Hamas scored a surprise win in parliamentary elections in January over Abbas's long-dominant Fatah faction. It has completed its cabinet just over a week before Israel's own general elections on March 28.

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