New Palestinian cabinet meets in Ramallah

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A new Palestinian cabinet has been sworn in by President Mahmoud Abbas. And on Wednesday, members had their inaugural meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah. But Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza have varying opinions about the new government.

The new government is comprised mainly of members of Abbas' own Fatah Party, with no representation from bitter rivals the Islamic Hamas group.

The result is that it will effectively only rule the West Bank. The move underlines the failed attempts to bridge the divide between the two movements.

They have been negotiating to form a joint government that would reunite the West Bank and Gaza, which would reopen channels for foreign aid. Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza expressed mixed emotions on Wednesday to Abbas' move.

Ala' Nasra, Ramallah Resident, said, "I'm optimistic about that. Really we want to try them; we want to try some people not with Hamas and Fatah. We want people who is working as professional."

Ashraf Al-Ghabt, Gaza Resident, said, "This government is deepening the division, and it's increasing the differences after last July's division, and we think that this government should resign again, to open the door again for dialogue to continue normally and smoothly."

Abbas has said the new government would step down if a power-sharing deal is reached. In the meantime, Salam Fayyad will retain his position as Prime Minister.

The new Palestinian government is responsible for 24 ministries, about 2-and-a-half-million people in the West Bank, and some services for Hamas-ruled Gaza.