BETHLEHEM, may 5, 2007, (WAFA)-Minster of Finance,Dr. Salam Fayyad briefed Saturday Germany's Foreign Minister, Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier on the latest situation in the Palestinian Territory due to siege and closure imposed on the Palestinian people.

Following the meeting, Fayyad said in a press conference that this meeting with Mr. Steinmeier is the first meeting with the government after its formation, adding that he updated the visiting Minister on the dire economical situation and the continued Israeli acts against the Palestinian people as well the Israeli policy of Isolation imposed on the Palestinian Territory.

Fayyad told reporters that this meeting is to ease the Palestinian living conditions and find new ways for living in peace and dignity, adding that such ease could not move in light of construction the Wall and isolating the Palestinian lands.

He affirmed that the crisis of salaries is linked to the harsh of the Palestinian economy due to holding taxes revenue by Israel and this hinders the government's financial responsibility.

Fayyad added that the government pursues now to pay half of the salary at a specified time of each month, considering that the problem does not end completely, but to attempt to regulate the payment of salaries until prospects for funding be improved.

M.H.(13:15 P)(10:15 GMT)