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Morsi 'to mediate' talks between Fatah, Hamas leaders | Morsi 'to mediate' talks between Fatah, Hamas leaders |
(30 minutes later) | |
Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi is set to mediate talks in Cairo between the leaders of Fatah and Hamas to help implement a unity pact signed in 2011. | |
Egypt helped broker the deal between Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who heads the Fatah party, and Hamas's Khaled Meshaal. | Egypt helped broker the deal between Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who heads the Fatah party, and Hamas's Khaled Meshaal. |
The Islamist movement ousted Fatah from Gaza in 2007 after winning Palestinian elections the previous year. | The Islamist movement ousted Fatah from Gaza in 2007 after winning Palestinian elections the previous year. |
Observers say tensions appear to have eased in recent months. | Observers say tensions appear to have eased in recent months. |
On Wednesday Mr Abbas, the leader of the Palestinian Authority (PA), and Mr Meshaal will first "meet Egypt's intelligence chief before holding a three-way meeting with President Morsi," Egyptian spokesman Yasser Ali told the AFP news agency. | |
The reconciliation accord signed two years ago was meant to pave the way for a joint interim government and joint elections in 2012 but negotiations stalled. | |
Last October, Hamas boycotted local elections held in the West Bank, the first Palestinian polls in more than six years. | Last October, Hamas boycotted local elections held in the West Bank, the first Palestinian polls in more than six years. |
'We are partners' | 'We are partners' |
But observers say there have been signs of warming ties between the rivals ahead of Wednesday's talks. | But observers say there have been signs of warming ties between the rivals ahead of Wednesday's talks. |
Last Saturday, Hamas allowed Fatah to hold rallies in Gaza for the first time since 2007. | Last Saturday, Hamas allowed Fatah to hold rallies in Gaza for the first time since 2007. |
Hundreds of thousands of supporters of Mr Abbas held mass gatherings in the coastal enclave to mark Fatah's 48th anniversary. | Hundreds of thousands of supporters of Mr Abbas held mass gatherings in the coastal enclave to mark Fatah's 48th anniversary. |
Meanwhile last month, supporters of Hamas celebrated their movement's founding with a rare rally in the West Bank, which is governed by the PA. | Meanwhile last month, supporters of Hamas celebrated their movement's founding with a rare rally in the West Bank, which is governed by the PA. |
In a recent speech, Mr Meshaal urged "reconciliation and national unity of the Palestinian ranks". | In a recent speech, Mr Meshaal urged "reconciliation and national unity of the Palestinian ranks". |
"Palestine is for all of us, we are partners in this nation. Hamas cannot do without Fatah or Fatah without Hamas, or any movement," he said. | "Palestine is for all of us, we are partners in this nation. Hamas cannot do without Fatah or Fatah without Hamas, or any movement," he said. |
The Islamist Hamas group and the secular Fatah fundamentally disagree in their approach towards Israel. | The Islamist Hamas group and the secular Fatah fundamentally disagree in their approach towards Israel. |
Hamas has refused to renounce violence, recognise Israel's right to exist or accept peace accords between the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority and Israel. | Hamas has refused to renounce violence, recognise Israel's right to exist or accept peace accords between the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority and Israel. |
Hamas has been designated a terrorist group by Israel, the US and the EU. | Hamas has been designated a terrorist group by Israel, the US and the EU. |
Relations between Fatah and Hamas collapsed in June 2007 when Mr Abbas ordered the dissolution of the Hamas-led unity government amid deadly clashes between the factions in Gaza. | Relations between Fatah and Hamas collapsed in June 2007 when Mr Abbas ordered the dissolution of the Hamas-led unity government amid deadly clashes between the factions in Gaza. |