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EU Says Still Too Early To Resume Palestinian Aid


Prime Minister Haniyah (left) with President Abbas on March 15 (epa) March 15, 2007 -- The European Union said today it was still to early to decide whether to resume aid to the Palestinians after rival Hamas and Fatah factions agreed to form a government of national unity.

The United States reiterated international demands that Palestinians renounce violence, recognize Israel and agree to abide by past deals.

The Palestinian parliament is due to vote on March 17 on the new government, agreed after months of negotiations between Hamas and Fatah.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyah has formally submitted to President Mahmud Abbas his list of ministers for a new government.

The move comes after a deal on March 14 ended months of debate and fighting between Haniyah's Hamas movement and Abbas's Fatah party.

However, a spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry said Israel would not deal with the new government and would urge the international community not to work with the coalition.

Mark Regev said the deal fell short of long-standing international demands to renounce violence, recognize Israel's right to exist, and accept past agreements with Israel.

(compiled from agency reports)
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