Local media sources published on Tuesday the names of the Palestinian ministers in the new larger Palestinian cabinet headed by Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, which is expected to be sworn in later Tuesday night.

The Gaza-based Ramattan news agency quoted Palestinian well-informed sources as saying that Fayyad and the members of the large cabinet will hold a meeting Tuesday evening and will make an official announcement about forming the new larger Palestinian government.

The sources said that some of the candidates to be responsible for six portfolios; the prisoners' affairs, the environment, the agriculture, the communication, the higher education and the deputy premier abstained from joining the new government.

Among those who abstained, were the lawmaker Hanan Ashrawi for higher education, and the chairman of the People's party Bassam Salhi for agriculture, said the sources.

Hamas was not asked to join the new government as well as the Islamic Jihad that they have their political power in the Gaza Strip that is ruled by Hamas. Also the Democratic and the Popular Fronts (PFLP) and (DFLP) abstained from joining.

The list of names of the new cabinet members as it was published by the sources as follows:

Salam Fayyad, Prime Minister

Reyad el-Malki, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Abdel Razaq el-Yahia, Minister of Interior

Mustafa Barghouti, Minister of Information

Mahmoud el-Habash, Minister of the Awqaf (religious properties)

Khaled el-Qawasmeh, Minister of Municipal Affairs

Mohamed Ishtayyah, Minister of Publish Work

Ali al-Jerbawi, Minister of Planning

Hatem Abdel Qader, Minister of Jerusalem Affairs

Majeda al-Masri, Minister of Social Affairs

Kholoud D'eibes, Minister of Tourism

Mashhour Abu Dagga, Minister of Transportation

Bassem Khouri, Minister of Economics

Ahmed Majdalani, Minister of Labor

Fathi Abu Mughli, Minister of Health

Said Abu Ali, Secretary General of the Cabinet

Ministry of Prisoners' Affairs (vacant)

Ministry of Environment (vacant)

Ministry of Communication (vacant)

Ministry of Higher Education (vacant)

Ministry of Agriculture (vacant)

Deputy Prime Minister (vacant)