Wasel Abu Yusef, member of the PLO’s executive committee, has disclosed that the PLO factions have agreed on Palestinian Premier Salam Fayyad as their candidate to head the transitional government being formed under the national reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas.

Abu Yusef told Ahram Online that talks among the faction representatives have led to agreement on Fayyad is the most suitable candidate.

Abu Yusef said that Fayyad's nomination comes after the government has completed its construction of state institutions, aside from preparations for the September vote by the United Nations General Assembly on whether to recognize a unified Palestinian state.

He added that the continuation of Fayyad's leadership will make it more difficult for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to claim the new government is illegitimate due to the participation of Hamas.

The factions will announce the nomination jointly during talks in Cairo this week.

Some circles inside Hamas and Islamic Jihad are strongly opposed to Fayyad's nomination on the grounds that he is suppressing the resistance movement in the West Bank and coordinating with Israel on security.