The Palestinian government needs ______ in aid this year. [originaltext] The

The new Palestinian Finance Minister Salam Fayyad says the national unity government needs at least 1.3 billion dollars in aid this year to avert what he said would be a devastating humanitarian crisis. Mr. Fayyad was speaking in Brussels after talks with senior European Union officials. The EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said possible reengagement would be a gradual process.