MIDDLE EAST: The Islamist militant group Hamas presented its cabinet to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas yesterday after failing to persuade any rival factions to join a coalition government.
The group's inability to attract partners and its intention to appoint Hamas loyalists to top ministerial posts could bolster US and Israeli efforts to isolate the new government.
Hamas, which eclipsed Mr Abbas's long-dominant Fatah faction in the January 25th general election, has completed its cabinet just over a week before Israel's own parliamentary election on March 28th.
Prime minister-designate Ismail Haniyeh was expected to give the names to Mr Abbas at about 9pm (7pm GMT) in Gaza, later than previously scheduled.
Mr Abbas said he expected parliament to convene soon for a vote of confidence in the Hamas government.
Aides to Mr Abbas said he would not reject the cabinet even though he wants Hamas to change its government agenda, which calls for resistance against Israel by any means.
"I think the president will give them a chance," said senior Palestinian negotiator and Abbas confidant Saeb Erekat.
However, he said Mr Abbas could exercise his constitutional right to fire the prime minister in the event of a crisis, such as a freezing of international aid.
In talks with Hamas before the Abbas-Haniyeh meeting, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) said it had turned down an offer to join the government, becoming the last faction to give a final "no".
Jamil al-Majdalawi, a PFLP leader, told Reuters that Hamas's political platform did not include "a fundamental point for us - that the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organisation) is the sole, legitimate representative of the Palestinian people".
Israel has said it will not deal with a Hamas government.
Hamas is sworn to Israel's destruction and has rejected demands to recognise the Jewish state, renounce violence and accept interim peace accords - conditions for continued Western aid.
It is not clear how much of the estimated $1 billion a year the Palestinians get in foreign aid might be withheld once a Hamas government is in power. Hamas has vowed to replace it with funds from Iran and other Muslim states.
Palestinians have also complained of growing food shortages in Gaza because of Israel's closure of the main commercial crossing into the strip. Israel has closed Karni off and on for the last two months, citing security concerns. It was last closed on March 13th.
Hamas staged nearly 60 suicide bombings against Israelis during an uprising that began in 2000 but has largely respected a year-old ceasefire. It says talks with Israel would be futile.