This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6344297.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Palestinian rivals in unity deal Palestinian rivals in unity deal
(30 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.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas' exiled political chief Khaled Meshaal signed the accord after almost three days of negotiations. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas' exiled political chief Khaled Meshaal signed the accord after talks in the Saudi city of Mecca.
The two sides, faced with an embargo against the Hamas government, have been trying to reach such a deal for months. It follows weeks of deadly violence between their supporters in Gaza and an embargo against the Hamas government.
It follows weeks of deadly violence between their supporters in Gaza. Mr Abbas urged the new government to "respect" previous accords signed between the Palestinians and Israel.
Hamas and Fatah have been locked in a bitter power struggle since Hamas defeated Fatah in elections in January 2006. But reports said the text of the agreement contained no reference to formal recognition of Israel.
Hamas remains the largest group in the Palestinian legislature, but has faced an international aid boycott and the opposition of Fatah supporters. Hamas has consistently refused to recognise the Jewish state - a key demand of the countries imposing a crippling economic boycott on the Palestinian Authority.
Israel dilemma 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.
The leaders of Hamas and Fatah assembled in a government building in Mecca for the signing of the deal. 'End violence'
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. The leaders of Hamas and Fatah signed the agreement under the auspices of Saudi King Abdullah.
Next to him was Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, who will retain his position as part of the deal. It is our turn to make this agreement work and to make this agreement stick Khaled MeshaalHamas political leader
Mr Meshaal called for violence to stop immediately.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.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."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. Earlier, agreement was reached on candidates for most posts in the 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. Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya will retain his position.
But the BBC's Jon Leyne, in Gaza, says it is unclear in what form the new government would recognise the State of Israel. The key post of interior minister, with control over most of the Palestinian security forces, is expected to go to a compromise candidate acceptable to both parties.
Hamas has previously refused to renounce violence or recognise the Jewish state.