Israeli minister rejects Palestinian unity government deal

The Israeli Foreign Minister says a deal for a unity government between the Palestinian president and the Hamas movement “does not satisfy the demands of the international community”. Tzipi Livni made the comments in Jerusalem at a joint media conference with US Secretary of State.

Condoleezza Rice’s response on the question left things open, however: “We of course have said that we will await the formation of the government before making any decisions about it, and I think that is generally the view that is held in the international community as a whole.”

However, an Israeli TV station claims the Israeli Prime Minister and the US President have already reached agreement not to recognise the unity government. A trilateral Middle East summit is set for Monday.

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