U.S. Offers to End Embargo

Aides to President Mahmoud Abbas announced that the United States would lift an international aid embargo imposed on Palestinians when Abbas formed a new government without Hamas, according to the Associated Press. Washington has not confirmed this, yet.

Hamas controls the Gaza Strip, with the West Bank being controlled by the Fatah. This is turning the territory into two separate states.

With Fatah gunmen storming the West Bank and others from Hamas attacking places like Yasser Arafat's home, it is hard to restore peace.

Salam Fayyad, Palestinian prime minister in the West Bank, is forming an emergency government. Hamas claims to have it's own government and calls the move "illegal", according to the Associated Press. Those close to Abbas have said that the West Bank government includes members from Gaza.

The Associated Press reported Yasser Abed Rabbo, an Abbas aide as saying a swearing in of the new government would take place by Sunday. He also rejected negotiations with Hamas: "There will be no dialogue with killers who carried out field executions in Gaza."

An aide for Abbas spoke to the media in secret, claiming that Abbas refused to speak with Hamas' exiled leader, Khaled Mashaal. The Arab League had asked for the meeting.

Abbas has had support from both the Arab world and the West in this conflict. Aides to Abbas spoke secretly of a closed meeting that took place where U.S. consul-general in Jerusalem, Jacob Walles, said sanctions would be lifted as soon as the new government was formed, according to the Associated Press.

The Associated Press reported that State Department spokesperson, Sean McCormack said looking at the situation. The AP quoted him as saying "I can't offer any specifics for you at this point." With regards to the new prime minister, Fayyad, he said, (he is) "a person that the international community has long experience with, has great confidence in."

Source: Associated Press Writer, Karin Laub; Palestinians: U.S. Promises Embargo End