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Palestinians relaunch unity talks Palestinian groups in unity talks
(about 6 hours later)
Leaders of the rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah have opened reconciliation talks in a renewed effort to create a unity government. Leaders of the rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah have met for reconciliation talks in a renewed effort to create a unity government.
Delegations from each side, and other Palestinian factions, met at the office in Cairo of the powerful Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman. Delegations from each side, and other Palestinian factions, met in Cairo.
"We hope this meeting is the real start of a new period ending the state of division," Mr Suleiman said. They agreed to set up committees to look at forming an interim government, holding new elections and reforming the security services.
On Wednesday both groups agreed to release detainees from the other side. On Wednesday both groups agreed to release detainees from the other side, in a confidence-building measure.
They also pledged to stop attacking each other in the media to foster goodwill between the two sides.They also pledged to stop attacking each other in the media to foster goodwill between the two sides.
Solving Fatah-Hamas differences is seen also as an essential step if an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal were to happen - although with Israel also at a political crossroads analysts say that could be a long way off. 'No choice'
"A certain number of detainees will be freed right at the beginning of the dialogue," said a statement from Azzam al-Ahmed, leader of the Fatah bloc in the Palestinian parliament, and Mahmoud Zahar, a senior Hamas official The talks were held at the office in Cairo of the powerful Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman.
"Other detainees will be freed successively so that this issue will be totally closed before the end of the national Palestinian dialogue," the statement said. He said there was no option but for the reconciliation process to succeed.
Unity talks
About a dozen Palestinian groups were invited to take part in the national dialogue, whose aim is to set up a unity government.
FATAH-HAMAS RIVALRY January 2006 - Hamas wins Palestinian Authority legislative electionMarch 2006 - Hamas government sworn in. US and EU suspend tiesFebruary-March 2007 - Fatah and Hamas agree to form coalition to end growing factional warfareJune 2007 - Hamas seizes control of Gaza from Fatah after continued fighting. Unity government dissolved, Israel tightens blockade of Gaza Strip Gazans seek end to bitter splitFATAH-HAMAS RIVALRY January 2006 - Hamas wins Palestinian Authority legislative electionMarch 2006 - Hamas government sworn in. US and EU suspend tiesFebruary-March 2007 - Fatah and Hamas agree to form coalition to end growing factional warfareJune 2007 - Hamas seizes control of Gaza from Fatah after continued fighting. Unity government dissolved, Israel tightens blockade of Gaza Strip Gazans seek end to bitter split
"And we choice have no choice but to succeed and to move forward dramatically on the road to end division... You are responsible for your people."
Solving Fatah-Hamas differences is seen also as an essential step if an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal were to happen - although with Israel also at a political crossroads analysts say that could be a long way off.
The Palestinian negotiating committees will next meet on 8 March to continue work on forming an interim government.
Gaza reconstruction
About a dozen Palestinian groups are taking part in the national dialogue.
A unity government could serve for an interim period, preparing for new presidential and legislative elections and co-ordinating the rebuilding of Gaza.A unity government could serve for an interim period, preparing for new presidential and legislative elections and co-ordinating the rebuilding of Gaza.
The US, Britain and the EU have made clear that they would rather see non-partisan technocrats in control of the Palestinian territories than a coalition which includes Hamas.The US, Britain and the EU have made clear that they would rather see non-partisan technocrats in control of the Palestinian territories than a coalition which includes Hamas.
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Palestinians relaunch unity talks
Egypt is hosting an international reconstruction conference on 2 March at which the Palestinians hope to raise $2.8bn (£1.95bn).
A previous unity agreement fell apart after Israel and its international backers refused to deal with Hamas, which refuses to recognise Israel.A previous unity agreement fell apart after Israel and its international backers refused to deal with Hamas, which refuses to recognise Israel.
Inter-factional fighting in Gaza came to a head in the summer of 2007 when Hamas fighters ousted the pro-Fatah security forces and overthrew PA control.Inter-factional fighting in Gaza came to a head in the summer of 2007 when Hamas fighters ousted the pro-Fatah security forces and overthrew PA control.
As well as continued tension, both sides have been accused of conducting politically motivated arrests and torture of rival faction members.As well as continued tension, both sides have been accused of conducting politically motivated arrests and torture of rival faction members.
Egypt revived the call for Palestinian reconciliation talks in November.Egypt revived the call for Palestinian reconciliation talks in November.
However, Hamas withdrew from the talks, complaining that Fatah continued to arrest Hamas members in the West Bank.However, Hamas withdrew from the talks, complaining that Fatah continued to arrest Hamas members in the West Bank.
Efforts to secure a reconciliation have gained strength since Israel's three-week military offensive in Gaza which ended on 18 January.Efforts to secure a reconciliation have gained strength since Israel's three-week military offensive in Gaza which ended on 18 January.
The Fatah and Hamas sides have fundamental differences over how to deal with Israel. While Fatah has renounced violence, Hamas refuses to recognise Israel. Hamas is prepared to accept a short-term truce but it reserves the right to fight Israel.The Fatah and Hamas sides have fundamental differences over how to deal with Israel. While Fatah has renounced violence, Hamas refuses to recognise Israel. Hamas is prepared to accept a short-term truce but it reserves the right to fight Israel.