Palestinian leaders urge world to accept unity govt

MIDDLE EAST: Palestinian leaders urged the world on Tuesday to accept a planned unity government they hope will lead to the lifting of an aid embargo on the Hamas administration.

Israel and the United States have responded skeptically to the coalition government idea, agreed by Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas and President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday.

The European Union has been more positive, believing it could re-energize the Middle East peace process.

"The world should respect the will of the people whether it's a national unity government or a government of one colour," Haniyeh said after meeting members of the Hamas Islamist group.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch said Washington would only deal with a new unity government if it met three conditions laid down by the Quartet of Middle East mediators - renounce violence, recognize Israel and abide by past Israeli-Palestinian accords.

"We have not seen all the details (of the new government) and we are taking a look, a close look at it. To the extent that we understand this so far, it does not meet the standard," Welch told Reuters in an interview.

Ordinary Palestinians have welcomed the announcement of the new government, hoping it will end their international isolation and revive direct Western aid that was cut when Hamas took office in March after beating Abbas's Fatah faction in elections.

Officials said it could take two weeks for the government to take shape.

Haniyeh said the government would not seek peace talks with Israel, adding that was the domain of the umbrella Palestine Liberation Organization, which is chaired by Abbas.

Haniyeh, who is likely to head the unity government, has said he would not object to Abbas negotiating with Israel through the PLO, but that any agreement would need to be ratified by parliament where Hamas has a majority.

"Negotiations have to do with the PLO and not with the government," Haniyeh told Reuters.

Gaza, Wednesday, Reuters,