Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas chairs a Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) executive committee meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah, May 4, 2016. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman

Ramallah- Kifah Zboun

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is seeking to form a new unity government - in agreement with all Palestinian factions, including Hamas - to unify the institutions and prepare for the upcoming general elections.

Palestinian sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the move was aimed at hampering any attempts to separate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank under what is known as the US “deal of the century.”

Abbas is looking at the possibility to designate former Prime Minister Salam Fayyad to chair the new government.

The sources added that the president met with Fayyad a few days ago for two hours to discuss the matter. Fayyad agreed on the proposal, provided that he is given the right to participate in the decision-making process, within a comprehensive solution to the current divisions.

According to the sources, Fayyad told the president that he did not want to be an employee of a government that did not exert its control over all matters. Fayyad succeeded in running the Palestinian government after the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip in 2007.

Abbas’ meeting with Fayyad a few days ago ended a rupture of years, as the two men have rarely communicated during the past years.

Fayyad’s return needs both the approval of Fatah central committee and Hamas.

The sources said that Fatah and Hamas movements would not prevent Fayyad’s return as part of a comprehensive agreement.

Abbas hopes Fayyad would help in efforts to end the rift. Asharq Al-Awsat asked those close to Fayyad about the possibility of his return as prime minister. A familiar source said it depended on a new vision of restoring national unity.

“Fayyad has a roadmap,” the source said.