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| Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas hold talks in Cairo | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The leaders of the Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas have held talks in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, to try to heal their rift. | |
| Palestinian Authority and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas met the political chief of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal. | |
| Earlier, both had separately met Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi. | |
| The groups have been at odds since Hamas ousted forces loyal to Mr Abbas in the Gaza Strip during clashes in 2007 and set up a rival government. | The groups have been at odds since Hamas ousted forces loyal to Mr Abbas in the Gaza Strip during clashes in 2007 and set up a rival government. |
| However, tensions have eased recently. Hamas and Fatah supporters have both been allowed to hold mass rallies in Gaza and the West Bank. | |
| Israel approach | |
| Hamas was formed in 1987 as an offshoot of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, to which Mr Morsi belongs. | Hamas was formed in 1987 as an offshoot of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, to which Mr Morsi belongs. |
| Fatah and Hamas did sign a reconciliation accord two years ago that was meant to pave the way for the formation of a new transitional unity government formed of independents, which was to prepare for legislative elections scheduled to be held before the end of May 2012. | Fatah and Hamas did sign a reconciliation accord two years ago that was meant to pave the way for the formation of a new transitional unity government formed of independents, which was to prepare for legislative elections scheduled to be held before the end of May 2012. |
| However, the process has stalled. | |
| A senior Palestinian official cautioned that no immediate breakthrough was expected from the latest talks. | |
| Hamas and 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 been designated a terrorist group by Israel, the US and the EU. | |
| There have been signs of warming ties between Hamas and Fatah 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 Palestinian Authority of Mr Abbas. | Meanwhile last month, supporters of Hamas celebrated their movement's founding with a rare rally in the West Bank, which is governed by the Palestinian Authority of Mr Abbas. |
| However, tensions remain and on Tuesday a Hamas-run court in the Gaza Strip sentenced a leader of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, which is associated with Fatah, to 15 years in jail. | However, tensions remain and on Tuesday a Hamas-run court in the Gaza Strip sentenced a leader of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, which is associated with Fatah, to 15 years in jail. |
| Fatah said the verdict was unjust and political. | Fatah said the verdict was unjust and political. |