by Paul Dakiki

Israel and the United States are demanding that the announcement of the formation of a national unity government be followed by recognition of Israel and by a commitment to put an end to terrorism. Russia and the UN Secretary-general have responded positively and the EU cautiously. The Saudi diplomatic success is bound to have a bearing on the balance of power in the Middle East.

Beirut (AsiaNews) – Gunshots fired into the air, satisfaction voiced at Riyadh and the UN, positive caution expressed by the EU while frostiness and anticipation prevail in Israel and the US and silence reigns in Teheran and Damascus. Different reactions greeted last night’s announcement from Mecca of the signing of an accord between Fatah and Hamas. The accord should put an end to the bloody clashes between Palestinian factions and pave the way for a national unity government that may get rid of a current block on international aid.

At international level, the UN secretary Ban Ki-moon said he “rejoiced” about the agreement. Moscow, through Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman, Mikhail Kamynin, expressed a similar reaction, “welcoming” the accord. As for the EU, Cristina Gallach, spokeswoman for Javier Solana, High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, said: “We will examine all the details of the agreement with the best will, in a positive but cautious manner.”

From the US, a spokesman for the US State Department, Gonzalo Gallegos, said he could not comment about the agreement without first seeing the details “of the composition” and “political program” of the future government. But the Israeli daily Jerusalem Post today maintained that the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, told a closed-door meeting with “Jewish leaders” that she wanted to continue boycotting Hamas ministers.

Israel seems to have greeted the news for frosty caution so far. "Israel expects the new Palestinian government to accept and respect all three of the international community's principles - recognition of Israel, acceptance of all former treaties and a clear renunciation of all terror and violence," said Miri Eisin, a spokeswoman of Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister.

Apparently, the agreement does not expressly talk about Israel but affirms that the Palestinian government is committed to “respecting international legality and agreements concluded by the PLO”, which include those with Israel. The Israeli daily, Haaretz, described this formula as “an ambiguous promise”.

Within the region’s Muslim circles, the signing of the agreement definitely signals a success for Saudi diplomacy – Riyadh immediately offered one billion dollars of aid to the future government – in a move that puts the clout of Iran and Syria into perspective, at least temporarily. According to their reactions, this may lead to consequences, not necessarily positive, for the state of affairs in Lebanon and Iraq. The silence held thus far by official sources in Teheran and Damascus appears to imply a complex assessment at the least.

• palestine
• israel
• arabia
• saudi
• iran
• syria
• accord
• palestinians
• mecca
• government
• unity
• national