Fatah-Hamas talks set for October 25 in Cairo

Thursday, 09 October 2008

AFP

Palestinian Hamas representatives Khalil al-Hayya (L) and Mussa Abu Marzuk (R) hold a press conference in Cairo October 8, 2008. Senior Hamas officials met Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman in Cairo today to discuss an Egyptian proposal for a Palestinian unity government, the official MENA news agency reported. Suleiman's talks with the Islamist Hamas came after a string of meetings with a dozen Palestinian factions, including the Fatah party of president Mahmud Abbas, over the past two months to form a national unity government. AFP PHOTO/CRIS BOURONCLE

CAIRO, Oct 9, 2008 (AFP) - Fatah and Hamas will meet in Cairo on October 25 for Egyptian-mediated talks aimed at forming a transitional government comprising ministers acceptable to the rival factions, Hamas said on Thursday.

'Fatah and Hamas will meet on October 25 in Cairo under Egyptian mediation to resolve their differences on how to reach reconciliation and end the current Palestinian divisions,' senior Hamas official Mahmud al-Zahar told AFP.

Zahar was speaking after talks on Wednesday with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, the latest in a series of such meetings with a dozen Palestinian factions, including the secular Fatah party of president Mahmud Abbas.

Egypt has been acting as a mediator between Fatah and Hamas after the Islamist party, which won a majority in parliamentary elections in 2006, seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, routing forces loyal to Fatah.

The Egyptian proposal includes a transitional government made up of ministers acceptable to all factions and a restructuring of Palestinian security forces with Arab oversight.

The proposal also provides for new parliamentary and presidential elections.

Hamas has said it will not recognise Palestinian Authority president Abbas after his mandate ends in January. But on Wednesday, Hamas official Khalil al-Haya said the Islamist party would be willing to place 'elections on the table for negotiation'.

'We have reached an agreement in principle with Egyptian officials on the matters that need to be resolved during the meeting,' said Zahar, widely considered the most influential leader in Gaza.

'These matters include forming a government of national consensus (and) the reorganisation of Palestinian security forces, with the help of Arab experts who will be charged with training (the security forces) and coordination.

He said that Hamas preferred what he called a government of national consensus.

'We agreed on a government of national consensus, meaning factions will be represented but (the government) will also include independents and professionals.'