Rival Palestinian political factions Hamas and Fatah are preparing to join forces in a "national unity" coalition government, officials told dpa Saturday. Nabil Abu Rdeneh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, said after talks in Gaza City that such a coalition is likely to be formed "within 10 days," with a unified political programme also to be worked out. Palestinian factions hope that the formation of a unity government will end the political and financial isolation imposed on the Palestinian administration by the international community since Hamas' sweeping victory in January legislative polls.
