February 1st

Abbas, Mashaal Expected to Agree to New Govt Thursday ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 1, 2012 - 1:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas chief Khalid Mashaal are expected to agree on the structure of a Palestinian national unity government during their meeting in Cairo on Thursday. Secretary-general of Fatah Revolutionary Council Amin Maqboul told Ma'an Monday that failure to appoint a new government was the main obstacle to elections in the West Bank and Gaza. Mashaal, who lives in exile, arrived in Jordan on Sunday where he met King Abdullah II, his first visit since being expelled from the country in 1999. » Read more

Support for Palestinian Authority Erodes as Prices and Taxes Rise ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - January 31, 2012 - 1:00am RAMALLAH, West Bank — For many Palestinians and their international supporters, the one bright spot in an otherwise dreary political landscape has been the nation-building efforts of Salam Fayyad, the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, who has restored law and order and encouraged economic growth in the West Bank. Salam Fayyad, prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, is under increasing pressure. » Read more