Haniyeh will not head new govt: Hamas lawmaker

Ramallah (West Bank), Nov 6: Hamas and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah group have reached a deal on forming a unity government that will not be headed by current Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, a lawmaker from the Islamist movement said today.

Hamas took office in March after beating Fatah in parliamentary elections. It has struggled to govern under a Western embargo imposed over its refusal to recognise Israel, prompting efforts to form a unity government.

''We have agreed on the political platform of the new government,'' said Hamas lawmaker and senior leader Yahya Moussa.

''The Hamas movement has also agreed that the next prime minister will not be Haniyeh.'' ''The choice has been made for the next prime minister,'' Moussa said. ''His name will be presented to President Abbas. A joint committee will be formed to appoint the portfolios and to finalise other details.''

Reuters