Egypt Welcomes Palestinian Reconciliation Deal

Egypt on Wednesday welcomed a deal ending years of division between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas.



"We hope the deal will end Palestinian rifts and help the Palestinians obtain their legitimate rights in peace talks [with Israel]," the Foreign Ministry said in a Wednesday statement.



Ramallah-based Fatah and Gaza-based Hamas signed a deal on Wednesday aimed at ending their longstanding differences.



Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said both sides had agreed to the terms of two previous agreements signed in Cairo and Doha.



Under the deal, Haniyeh said, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will immediately begin consultations for the formation of a national unity government to be unveiled within five weeks.



Six months after the formation of the government, presidential and parliamentary polls will be held simultaneously in both the Gaza Strip and West Bank, according to Haniyeh.



Elections for the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)'s national council, he added, will also be held at the same time.



By Hazem Badr



englishnews@aa.com.tr - Kahire