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Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas hold talks in Cairo Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah agree on unity deal
(about 17 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. The leaders of the rival Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas have agreed in Cairo to renew efforts to implement a two-year-old unity deal.
Palestinian Authority and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas met the political chief of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal. The agreement followed talks, the first in 18 months, between Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah and exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal.
Earlier, both had separately met Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi.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 Mr Abbas' forces from the Gaza Strip during clashes in 2007.
The two factions set up rival administrations in Gaza and the West Bank.
However, tensions have eased recently. Hamas and Fatah supporters have both been allowed to hold mass rallies in Gaza and the West Bank.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 "The two parties agreed to call on all Palestinian factions to implement the reconciliation agreement," Izzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas' political bureau and a participant in the Cairo talks, told the AFP news agency.
Hamas was formed in 1987 as an offshoot of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, to which Mr Morsi belongs. The meeting was held in a "very good and promising atmosphere", Mr Rishq added.
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. This was confirmed by Egyptian presidential spokesman Yasser Ali.
Old agreement renewed
The two sides signed a unity agreement in April 2011, but it was not implemented. The 2011 accord 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.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 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 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. The Islamist group 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.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.