Palestinian unity government's mandate expires this week: Hamas

Islamic Hamas movement warned Sunday that the mandate of the Palestinian unity government which was formed in June 2 will expire this week.

"According to the articles of the agreement, the mandate for the unity government will end Dec 2," Xinhua quoted Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesperson in Gaza, as saying.

The Palestinian unity government was formed June 2, following an agreement signed in Gaza in April. The formation of the government ended around seven years of internal Palestinian division.

"We should agree on the coming period either by extending the mandate for this government or look for forming a new government," said Abu Zuhri.

Over the past few weeks, tension between Hamas and its rival Fatah Party of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has grown due to exchange of accusations on who is obstructing the implementation of the reconciliation agreements.

"Therefore we need to continue our debates and discussions concerning the future. So keeping this government or reshuffling it should go through dialogue, discussion and consensus," said Abu Zuhri.

Meanwhile, Faisal Abu Shahla, a senior Fatah Party member in Gaza denied that there was a mandate for the unity government. "What we agreed in June is to for a government and after six month is to hold the elections."

"There is no text in the agreement that says the government is to be formed only for six month. Elections can't be held under such circumstances, therefore six month had passed and elections were not held," said Abu Shahla.