Hamas unveils Palestinian cabinet list

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

GAZA, Mar 20 (Reuters) The Islamic militant group Hamas unveiled its full cabinet list today, as expected putting loyal members in charge of all key ministries including the foreign affairs, interior and finance posts.

Prime Minister-designate Ismail Haniyeh gave the names to President Mahmoud Abbas late yesterday after Hamas failed to persuade rival factions to join, a sign of the success Israel and the United States have had in isolating the group.

Mahmoud al-Zahar, a leader in Gaza whom Israel has tried to assassinate, was made foreign minister, according to the cabinet list, obtained by Reuters.

Another Hamas leader, Saeed Seyam, was interior minister, putting him in charge of several security agencies.

Omar Abdel-Razeq, a prominent West Bank economics professor and Hamas election official, was named finance minister. Ala el-Deen Al-Araj, an engineer and Hamas member, was made minister of the economy.

The cabinet comprised 24 ministers, the majority Hamas members with some independents and technocrats, including one woman and a Christian.

Hamas, sworn to destroy the Jewish state, has rejected demands that it recognise Israel, renounce violence and accept interim peace accords -- conditions for continued Western aid.

It trounced Abbas's Fatah faction in January parliament elections.

REUTERS DKS KN1430

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