The Palestinian cabinet urged the European Union on Monday to withdraw its policy of selectivity towards dealing with Palestinian ministers. They criticized the EU's discrimination between different Palestinian ministers on the basis of political affiliation.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said during the third cabinet session that "the Palestinian unity government functions as one team." The cabinet rejected the EU's double-standard policy, depicting it as "an unprecedented assault on the choice of the Palestinian people."

In its session, the Palestinian cabinet discussed several issues, and ratified numerous decisions, specifically with respect to the Um An-Nasser sewage disaster. Three committees are to be appointed to examine the disaster, one to investigate and recommend a piece of land for the afflicted residents, one to examine the technical causes of the disaster, and a third to follow up and estimate the losses and the necessary compensations.

Among the other issues which the cabinet discussed were the teachers' allowances and the reimbursements for transportation costs.
The cabinet also decided to appoint a ministerial committee to study the aggressions by some ministries on 'Waqf' lands and to submit a report to the cabinet, who will take appropriate steps.

Regarding the Arab summit in Riyadh, Prime Minister Haniyeh applauded the Arab adherence to the Palestinians' unchangeable principles, and their decision to break the siege and support the Palestinian unity government. As for the Israeli negative reaction towards the Arab summit, Haniyeh said that it represents Israel's frequent rejection of any just peace agreement that could end the suffering of the Palestinian people.

The Palestinian cabinet also condemned the Israeli threats to take military actions against the Gaza Strip.

With regards to the abducted BBC reporter, the cabinet confirmed that they are seriously endeavoring to release him and bring the perpetrators to justice. The same thing applies to the Israeli captive, Corporal Gilad Shalit, as the Palestinian cabinet affirmed that they are contacting all concerned parties in order to arrange an appropriate prisoners' swap and bring that issue to a close.

PHOTO CAPTION

Palestinian prime minister Ismail Haniya , left, speaks with Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store, right,in Riyadh, Tuesday March 27 2007. (AP)

Maan