Hamas prepared Wednesday to unveil its nominations for prime minister and Parliament speaker as Israel prepared to decide on its strategy toward the Palestinians after the group takes up the reins of power. In another move, a senior Fatah official laid down a series of conditions which would allow the movement to join a coalition Cabinet. Hamas named Mahmoud al-Zahhar from Gaza, one of its most hard-line leaders, as head of its majority faction in the legislature, which convenes Saturday for its first session since the group won the January 25 parliamentary elections. Aziz Dweik, from the West Bank, was chosen by Hamas as parliamentary speaker.As the leader of Parliament, Dweik would become interim president, pending an election within 60 days, in the event of the death, resignation or incapacitation of President Mahmoud Abbas of the Fatah faction. The appointments raised speculation Hamas would choose another of its leaders, Ismail Haniyya, as prime minister. A Gazan, he is viewed by Palestinians as a pragmatist who has forged good relations with rival factions.
Hamas officials have said they expect the group to announce it choice for the post as early as Saturday or Sunday, after Parliament convenes and before Israel holds its own election on March 28. With the clock ticking towards formation of a Palestinian government, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni summoned advisers for consultations that one official said would focus on "funding for the Palestinian Authority in the Hamas era."