Palestinian factions are to begin talks later on Saturday to form the national unity government, after the resignation of Hamas-led government on last Thursday, paving the way for the coming new government.

Ismail Haneya, who headed the Hamas-led government for nearly a year, was designated by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to form the new unity government.

He is due to meet with independent lawmakers and leaders of President Abbas' Fatah movement on Saturday to iron out the distribution of cabinet portfolios, his office said.

According to Mecca deal reached between the rival Hamas and Fatah factions in Feb. 8, Hamas will obtain nine portfolios while Fatah get seven. The remaining ministries of the 25-portfoliocabinet would be shared between independents and leftist parliamentary blocs.

The first round of talks would aim at persuading leftist factions to join the government, according to analysts.

Observers here say the leftist factions will make the talks harder. "Though the (leftist) factions are small, their attitude acts as a pin in the waist, " analyst Walid al-Medallal told Xinhua.

Kayed al-Ghoul of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) said his faction has not taken a final decision whether to join the new government or not.

"We will wait to see the results of the discussions and the positions of Hamas and Fatah before we decide," al-Ghoul added. Saleh Zidan, member of the Democratic Front's politburo, said his party's participation in the coalition government is subject to "the extent of the government's reainess to meet requirements of true unity and partnership."

He also called on Hamas and Fatah "to exceed sharing portfolios between themselves and open the door for all powers and civil society institution to take part."

Meanwhile, Fatah spokesman Maher Meqdad said his movement did not yet choose its candidates for the national unity government. "This issue is not complicated and is being discussed in political framework," Meqdad added.

Meqdad also said Fatah will work to resolve the issue of leftist parties, adding they have right to participate in the government.

Hamas has pledged readiness to present their candidates. On Saturday, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoom told reporters that "we are interested to present our candidates as agreed to push for a national unity government as soon as possible."

The talks will also focus on nominating the interior minister who is agreed to be an independent and his post is subject to Hamas approval.

The name of foreign minister is agreed to be Zeyad Abu Amr, independent but close to Hamas.

The Islamic Jihad, which did not run in last year's elections, announced earlier it will not join the government. Leaders of Fatah and Hamas movements signed an agreement in Saudi Arabia's city of Mecca on Feb. 8 on forming a national unity government aimed at ending infighting and lifting international sanctions.

Haneya said on Friday he would form the Palestinian unity government within three weeks.

However, it was not clear if the new government would be accepted by the Quartet, grouping the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and Russia, which conditioned that any Palestinian government should meet the three key demands of recognizing Israel, renouncing violence and abiding by the previous peace accords.

The Mecca agreement didn't mention the recognition of Israel. Instead, Abbas called on the future government "to respect international law and agreements signed by the Palestine Liberation Organization."

Editor: Wing