Palestinian premier offers to resign for unity

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The Palestinian prime minister has offered to step down to clear the way for a new unity government with Hamas. Salam Fayyad told reporters at his West Bank office Tuesday that he does not want to be an obstacle to reconciliation.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4085379,00.html

[Jefferson23]

1. My goodness, things are getting interesting. n/t

[bemildred]

2. Yes. Stay tuned. nt

[oberliner]

3. Especially odd considering your earlier OP: Majority of Palestinians want Fayyad

Survey: Majority of Palestinians want Fayyad as prime minister

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=124x356052

Why step down if the majority want you as PM?

And why does Hamas think it can go against the will of the Palestinian people?

[Jefferson23]

4. Politics is an odd game, no sure bets. n/t

[Jefferson23]

5. Fayyad to stay on as Palestinian prime minister

Salam Fayyad dismissed allegations of his plans to resign, says he is 'proud' that he is public's favorite for the prime minister post.

Salam Fayyad on Tuesday dismissed reports that he was thinking of stepping down as Palestinian prime minister after the Islamist Hamas movement rejected him as a candidate to run the new government.

The Fatah movement of President Mahmoud Abbas had insisted on Fayyad staying as prime minister. Abbas told a Lebanese television station on Monday that since he would name the new government, his only choice would be Fayyad, regardless of Hamas's position.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/fayyad-to-stay-on-as-palestinian-prime-minister-1.368953

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6. Whooooops. nt

[Jefferson23]

7. So much going on so fast, I guess the reports may be like this going forward

for the near future at least.

[oberliner]

8. Hard to keep up

It seems, though, that he will finish out his term, but won't seek to be the PM in the new unity agreement.

Does that sound right?

[Mosby]

9. did you hear about Dahlan?

He has been kicked out of Fatah.
I don't know what to make of that.

[oberliner]

11. Very strange story

Lord knows what is going on with that guy.

[Jefferson23]

10. Honestly, what do we know that can be confirmed with any true

sense that the situation won't change again? Not much.

The only certainty seems to be the struggle continues internally.