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Palestinian rivals in unity deal Palestinian rivals in unity deal
(40 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 exiled Hamas political chief Khaled Meshaal signed the accord after talks in the Saudi city of Mecca.Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and exiled Hamas 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.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 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.
SanctionsSanctions
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Gaza says Fatah and Hamas have finally resolved their differences.The BBC's Jon Leyne in Gaza says Fatah and Hamas have finally resolved their differences.
He says they have agreed a share-out of government posts, with independents taking the key jobs of finance, foreign affairs and the interior.He says they have agreed a share-out of government posts, with independents taking the key jobs of finance, foreign affairs and the interior.
It is our turn to make this agreement work and to make this agreement stick Khaled MeshaalHamas political leaderIt is our turn to make this agreement work and to make this agreement stick Khaled MeshaalHamas political leader
Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya will retain his position.Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya will retain his position.
The first hope of all Palestinians will be that this will end the vicious fighting that has raged between Hamas and Fatah as recently as last weekend, our correspondent says.The first hope of all Palestinians will be that this will end the vicious fighting that has raged between Hamas and Fatah as recently as last weekend, our correspondent says.
The other key question, he adds, is whether Hamas has gone far enough to enable international sanctions to be lifted.The other key question, he adds, is whether Hamas has gone far enough to enable international sanctions to be lifted.
Mr Abbas and Mr Meshaal signed the agreement at a ceremony hosted by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.Mr Abbas and Mr Meshaal signed the agreement at a ceremony hosted by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.
Mr Meshaal called for violence to stop immediately, describing the factional fighting and unrest in the Palestinian territories as "dark days". HAVE YOUR SAY The deal will mean a great deal if both parties work together to stabilize the region Ilyas, Bangalore class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5463&start=0&edition=2&ttl=20070208194612">Send us your comments Mr Meshaal called for violence to stop immediately, describing the factional fighting and unrest in the Palestinian territories as "dark days".
"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.
As the signing took place, celebratory gunfire erupted in Gaza City, while fireworks lit up the sky, the Associated Press news agency reported.As the signing took place, celebratory gunfire erupted in Gaza City, while fireworks lit up the sky, the Associated Press news agency reported.
"For four or five days we've been holding our breath," Mahmoud Qassam, 27, a fish vendor, told AP."For four or five days we've been holding our breath," Mahmoud Qassam, 27, a fish vendor, told AP.
"God willing, this is a permanent agreement, not a temporary truce," he said."God willing, this is a permanent agreement, not a temporary truce," he said.
Months of violence between Fatah and Hamas supporters left scores dead and Palestinian civilians frightened to venture on to the streets.Months of violence between Fatah and Hamas supporters left scores dead and Palestinian civilians frightened to venture on to the streets.