From ABC News Online, Monday, February 6, 2006. 7:22am (AEDT) ...
There are revelations more than $930 million has been pilfered from the Palestinian Authority coffers, as Israel agreed to unblock funds it owes the Palestinian Government. ...News of the gaping hole in the Palestinian treasury was revealed by Attorney-General Ahmed al-Meghani at the end of an internal corruption inquiry. "We are talking of a figure of around $US700 million," Mr Meghani told reporters in Gaza City, saying numerous indictments would be handed out in the coming days.
....Negotiations
In order to flesh out the plans for forming a new government, Haniya and fellow (Hamas) leader Mahmud al-Zahar were expected in Cairo later Sunday for talks with the movement's Damascus-based political supremo, Khaled Meshaal.
The Islamist delegation was also to meet with senior Egyptian leaders to discuss its position towards Israel, before heading off on a tour of Arab and Muslim capitals in the region.
In an interview with Germany's Der Spiegel news magazine, Mr Meshaal said Hamas would work with Mr Abbas. The Palestinian leader and Hamas officials agreed Saturday to convene the Palestinian parliament on February 16 as a first step toward forming a new government.
Mr Meshaal also said Hamas would respect agreements signed with the Jewish state but would refuse in the process to compromise Palestinian interests. "We will view the signed treaties as established facts," he said, in comments printed in German. "We will act pragmatically but without sacrificing the rights of the Palestinian people."
- AFP
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