By Associated Press
Nov 13, 2006
The Palestinian Arabs tried on Monday to pull the wool over the international community's eyes by nominating a new, independent candidate for prime minister.
If unity government talks between Hamas and PLO chief Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah progress, the terror group will relinquish direct control over the government and Mohammed Shabir will become the next prime minister of the "Palestinians."
A senior Damascus-based Hamas official confirmed the joint nomination in remarks to the Associated Press.
Hamas and Abbas both hope the move will end months of international economic sanctions against the Palestinian Authority.
However, it must be noted that while Shabir, former president of the Islamic University in Gaza, is not a member of Hamas, he is a close ally of the terror group.
As noted previously by Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Hamas will also continue to hold an absolute majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council, meaning it all major government decisions will still need its approval.