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Palestinian rivals in unity deal Palestinian rivals in unity deal
(10 minutes later)
Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have signed a deal to form a national unity government after talks in the Saudi city of Mecca.Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have signed a deal to form a national unity government after talks in the Saudi city of Mecca.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas' exiled political chief Khaled Meshaal signed the deal after almost three days of talks. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas' exiled political chief Khaled Meshaal signed the accord after almost three days of negotiations.
There had been divisions over cabinet posts and recognition of Israel. The two sides, faced with an embargo against the Hamas government, have been trying to reach such a deal for months.
The factions travelled to Saudi Arabia after weeks of deadly violence between their supporters in the Gaza Strip. It follows weeks of deadly violence between their supporters in Gaza.
Hamas ousted Fatah from power in elections in January 2006. Hamas and Fatah have been locked in a bitter power struggle since Hamas defeated Fatah in elections in January 2006.
Hamas remains the largest group in the Palestinian legislature, but has faced an international aid boycott and the opposition of Fatah supporters.
Israel dilemmaIsrael dilemma
The leaders of Hamas and Fatah assembled in a government building in Mecca for the signing of the deal.The leaders of Hamas and Fatah assembled in a government building in Mecca for the signing of the deal.
Mediators and officials from both factions had suggested that talks would have continued until a deal was reached. It is our turn to make this agreement work and to make this agreement stick Khaled MeshaalHamas political leader Saudi King Abdullah chaired the ceremony, flanked on one side by Mr Abbas and on the other by Mr Meshaal.
Agreement was reached earlier on Thursday on candidates for most posts in a national unity government. Next to him was Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, who will retain his position as part of the deal.
Mr Meshaal called for violence to stop immediately.
He described the factional fighting and unrest in the Palestinian territories as "dark days" and said there would be no return to violence.
"It is our turn to make this agreement work and to make this agreement stick, to build our Palestinian house on strong foundations," he said.
Earlier agreement was reached on candidates for most posts in a national unity government.
The key position of interior minister, with control over most of the Palestinian security forces, is expected to go to a compromise candidate acceptable to both parties.The key position of interior minister, with control over most of the Palestinian security forces, is expected to go to a compromise candidate acceptable to both parties.
But the BBC's Jon Leyne, in Gaza, says it is unclear in what form the new government would recognise the State of Israel.But the BBC's Jon Leyne, in Gaza, says it is unclear in what form the new government would recognise the State of Israel.
Hamas has previously refused to renounce violence or recognise the Jewish state.Hamas has previously refused to renounce violence or recognise the Jewish state.