Hamas Government Sworn In
March 29, 2006
Minister of Finance Mohamed Abd Alrazeq (left), Deputy Palestinian Prime Minister Nasser Asaeer (center), and Minister of Women's Affairs Mream Salaeh (right) at the swearing-in ceremony for the new Hamas government in Ramallah today (epa)
The 24-member Palestinian cabinet is dominated by Hamas loyalists after other factions refused to join in the wake of the group's shock victory in elections in January.
Soon after the swearing-in ceremony, Canada announced it was suspending aid to the Palestinian Authority. Other Western nations are expected to follow suit.
The "Quartet" of Middle East mediators -- the United States, the European Union, Russia, and the United Nations -- has said Hamas must recognize Israel, give up violence, and accept past peace deals, or risk losing aid to the Palestinian Authority.
(Reuters)