PFLP: 'No consensus government soon'

PFLP: 'No consensus government soon'

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine does not expect a new unity government to be formed any time soon, a PFLP politburo member said Sunday.Rabah Muhanna told Ma'an: “A few people think that the consensus government is about to be formed, but the truth is there will be no consensus government soon."

His comments came a day after a committee appointed by the Palestine Liberation Organization Executive Commitee began consulting Palestinian factions on forming a new national unity government.

The PLO gave the committee a time period of a week, although one of its members told Ma'an on Saturday that more time will probably be necessary.

Muhanna said that the new government must keep in line with previous agreements and work toward the unity of Palestinian institutions, the reconstruction of Gaza, and preparations for presidential and legislative elections as soon as possible.

Elections have not been held in the occupied Palestinian territories since 2006.

Muhanna added that the Palestinian Legislative Council -- which has not convened since 2007 -- should be reactivated, along with the central election commission and the committee for reconciliation. He said these bodies must play a larger role in the government, in keeping with the 2012 Cairo agreement between Fatah and Hamas.

The dissolution of the current government was announced earlier this month at an annual Fatah council meeting.

Formed last June, it has repeatedly failed to overcome divisive issues between the two rival parties.

While there had been talk of a government reshuffle for months, it is expected that the new government will have a completely different structure, with factional leaders replacing independent technocrats.

The PLO-appointed committee is including Hamas and Islamic Jihad in discussions, although a senior official told Ma'an on Saturday that if negotiations with Hamas fail, the government might be formed without the movement.