Hamas leader expects to form government in February

GAZA, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar said after talks Saturday with President Mahmoud Abbas he expects Hamas to form a Palestinian government later this month.
Abbas has said he may formally ask a party to form a government only after parliament convenes on Feb. 16, but he is widely expected to ask Hamas to do so since it won a majority of 74 of parliament's 132 seats in balloting 10 days ago.

"We are starting the process and we are sure that within February we will be able to see a new government," al-Zahar said.