The Hamas militant group on Sunday rejected the rival Fatah movement's nominee for prime minister, complicating plans to unify the dueling governments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and jeopardizing international aid for the Palestinians.
Hamas' opposition to Salam Fayyad's nomination marked a key setback in the reconciliation process, which aims to form a caretaker government until elections are held next year. Since the rival factions announced their reconciliation pact last month, aiming to end a four-year rift, they appear to have made little progress in implementing the program.
Fatah and Hamas are set to meet this week in Cairo to begin the process of appointing members of the new government. It was not clear whether Hamas' announcement Sunday was a final decision, or a bargaining tactic as the sides gear up to fill Cabinet posts.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/palestinian-unity-in-peril-as-hamas-rejects-fatah-s-fayyad-as-pm-1.367233