Israel 'denied residency to thousands of Palestinians' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 6, 2012 - 1:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) -- Israeli policies have arbitrarily denied thousands of Palestinians the right to live in or travel to and from the West Bank and Gaza, an international rights group said Sunday. “Israel’s control over the population registry has significantly reduced the registered Palestinian population in the West Bank and Gaza, probably by hundreds of thousands of people,” the report by Human Rights Watch said. » Read more

Abbas to head unity government as factions sign agreement ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 6, 2012 - 1:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) -- President Abbas and Hamas chief Khalid Mashaal penned an agreement in Qatar on Monday which will see the Fatah leader head a unity government. The agreement stipulates that the current President will head an interim government to prepare for parliamentary and presidential elections. It also included agreements on reforming the Palestinian National Council and activating the PLO for the next elections, Palestine TV said. » Read more