In advance of talks between President Mahmoud Abbas and rivals Hamas concerning the Gaza Strip, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has formally submitted his resignation to the President. The decision to step down will not take effect until a new Palestinian government of national unity is in place, however.

Both Fatah and Hamas delegations, in conjunction with other Palestinian officials, have formed committees which have been pursuing the possibility of a unity government for quite some time. The ultimate goal is to establish democratic elections, and later this month a summary on all progress made by delegates in Cairo will be compiled into a report; at the top of the agenda for the new government would be the reconstruction of Gaza, using funds pledged at a conference earlier this week.

Hamas had previously demanded that Mr. Fayadd resign, and experts are unsure as to whether the move was really voluntary; needless to say, the move will be well received by Hamas and is most certainly a step towards the unified nation desired after much conflict. Though there is a certain level of doubt regarding the possibility of a unity government, both Hamas and Fatah officials are looking to prevent the situation for worsening through any means possible.

My. Fayadd himself predicts that his resignation will take effect at the end of March, but many feel this estimate is a little too hopeful.

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