PA security chief optimistic on unity

02/05/2011

BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) -- Head of Palestinian military intelligence in the West Bank Nedal Abu Dukhan is optimistic over the signing of the proposed unity deal in Cairo, the official told Ma'an on Sunday.

Speaking in an interview at Ma'an's Bethlehem office, Abu Dukhan said he was optimistic about the outcome of the conciliation agreement but that he hoped it would increase international recognition of the Palestinian cause as September approached.

Caretaker officials in the Palestinian Authority have pegged September as the date that the government institutions in the West Bank would be ready for statehood. President Mahmoud Abbas has said that in September he could go to the UN seeking international recognition for a Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders.

While Abbas says that 130 nations have so far backed the idea of a Palestinian state by September, European and American officials have expressed reserve over the announcement of a unity deal, with officials saying they would study the terms of the reconciliation before making comment.

Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has said he is willing to resign as leader when the technocratic government takes over. Hamas officials have also indicated that they would prefer if Fayyad were replaced.

Hamas leader Khalil Al-Haya said in a statement Sunday that the party would leave the issue of prime minister to those appointed to the unity delegations. "This issue will be solved between us and our brothers [in Fatah,]" he said.

Gaza government security forces have announced that they are prepared discuss elements of the planned overhaul of security services in both the West Bank and Gaza, per the pending unity agreement between Palestinian factions.

While details of the agreement have not yet been released the Hamas-affiliated news website Palestine Information Center said Saturday that part of the deal would be the formation of a higher council for security. The council would oversee the security forces for both factions which would be united into a single professional force.

Source: Ma'an News Agency.

Link: http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=383794.