Hamas finalises its cabinet

Hamas8217;s inability to win coalition partners and its decision to appoint its own members to the three key ministries could bolster US and Israeli efforts to isolate the new government diplomatically and economically. Even now, Abbas could also object to Hamas8217;s line-up, triggering a constitutional crisis. Hamas holds an outright majority in the Palestinian parliament.

According to sources close to the deliberations, Hamas has decided to name Omar Abdel-Razeq, a prominent West Bank economics professor and Hamas election official, to the post of finance minister. Abdel-Razeq, a professor at an-Najah University, headed Hamas8217;s election committee for the West Bank. He was arrested by Israeli forces early in January and was released three days ago, Hamas sources said. The US and Israel have vowed not to provide any money directly to a Hamas-led Finance Ministry, responsible for the salaries of about 140,000 Palestinian Authority employees and security forces.

Hamas8217;s choice for foreign minister will be Mahmoudal-Zahar, a top leader in Gaza whom Israel has tried to assassinate, Hamas sources said.

Nidal al-Mughrabi