The Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad say they will not join a new Palestinian government to be headed by Prime Minister-designate Ahmed Korei.
In a statement Sunday, Hamas says it will not take part in any government whose agenda is based on the Oslo peace accords with Israel from the 1990s.
Islamic Jihad says that before forming a government, Palestinian leaders need to agree on a strategy for advancing Palestinian national goals.
Middle East peace efforts have come to a halt while Palestinian leaders try to form a new government.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas resigned earlier this month, saying that Israel and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat had undermined his efforts to advance the U.S.-backed "road map" plan for peace in the region.
Mr. Arafat nominated Mr. Korei to fill the post one day later. Mr. Korei and leaders of various Palestinian factions held talks on a new government today in Gaza City.