Hamas close to deal to lead coalition government-Haniyeh

LONDON, Sept 5 (Reuters) Rival Palestinian parties are close to establishing a new unity government led by Hamas, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh told a British newspaper in comments published today.

Haniyeh, who led the Islamist Hamas faction to victory in elections at the start of the year, told The Guardian: ''The majority in the parliament will head the government.'' Asked if the international community would accept such an outcome, he said: ''First of all, everybody has to respect the choice of the Palestinian people. The European position is more positive than the American position.'' The prime minister said talks about power-sharing between his Hamas party and the moderate Fatah movement of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas were drawing to a conclusion.

''We are not talking about problems, only procedures to complete the discussion,'' he said. ''I hope this will be completed in a short time.'' Abbas and Hamas agreed last month to restart negotiations on a unity government in the hope of easing a Western aid embargo imposed to pressure Hamas militants to recognise Israel's right to exist and renounce violence.

Palestinians fear that if discussions fail between Hamas and Abbas's Fatah movement, there is a danger of a return to a violent power struggle that followed Hamas's defeat of Fatah in January elections.

On August 22, however, a top aide to the president said Abbas would not form any new Palestinian coalition government unless the Hamas Islamist-led cabinet clearly accepts a political programme that recognises Israel.

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