Haniya expands dismissed Hamas government

Source: Monsters and Critics.com (Original Article) Middle East News Haniya expands dismissed Hamas government Apr 28, 2008, 9:00 GMT Gaza City - Hamas leader Ismail Haniya has expanded his dismissed cabinet by appointing five new ministers in another move consolidating his de-facto administration in the Gaza Strip, a spokesman announced Monday. Among the five new cabinet members were Mahmoud al-Zahar, whom Haniya re-appointed as foreign minister, and Said Siam, given the interior ministry portfolio. Both also served as foreign and interior minister in the Hamas-led government formed in March 2006, shortly after the radical Islamic movement beat the establishment Fatah party of President Mahmoud Abbas in legislative elections. The de-facto cabinet headed by Haniya had had only five members, including the deposed premier himself, since June 2007. In that month, Hamas violently seized sole control of the Strip by overpowering the headquarters of security force...