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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 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 talks in the Saudi city of Mecca. | Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas' exiled political chief Khaled Meshaal signed the accord after talks in the Saudi city of Mecca. |
| It follows weeks of factional violence in Gaza and a year-long international embargo against the Hamas government. | |
| Mr Abbas urged the new government to "respect" previous accords signed between the Palestinians and Israel. | Mr Abbas urged the new government to "respect" previous accords signed between the Palestinians and Israel. |
| But reports said the text of the agreement contained no reference to formal recognition of Israel. | But reports said the text of the agreement contained no reference to formal recognition of Israel. |
| Hamas has consistently refused to recognise the Jewish state - a key demand of the countries behind a crippling economic boycott of the Palestinian Authority. | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 'End violence' | 'End violence' |
| The leaders of Hamas and Fatah signed the agreement under the auspices of Saudi King Abdullah. | The leaders of Hamas and Fatah signed the agreement under the auspices of Saudi King Abdullah. |
| It is our turn to make this agreement work and to make this agreement stick Khaled MeshaalHamas political leader | 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 the unity government. | Earlier, agreement was reached on candidates for most posts in the unity government. |
| Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya will retain his position. | Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya will retain his position. |
| 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. | 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. |