Palestinian legislator says new Cabinet likely to succeed

Published: 2007-03-20

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- A Catholic Palestinian legislator praised the new Palestinian Cabinet and said it was likely to succeed. "This is a good start," said Bernard Sabella, a Fatah member of the Palestinian Parliament. "In effect it is a government which combines the more practical and pragmatic elements of Fatah, the independents and second-rank Hamas" members. Fatah and Hamas are Palestinian political factions with radical members and representation in government. Sabella said the Cabinet, or new unity government, had "almost unanimous" support from Parliament, an indication the political factions wanted an end to the violent infighting. Fatah and Hamas in mid-March concluded months of negotiations -- during which their armed factions also clashed in the streets of Gaza and the West Bank, leaving dozens dead and many more injured. Parliament approved the 25-member Cabinet, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas swore in the members.

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