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Morsi 'to mediate' talks between Fatah, Hamas leaders Egypt's Morsi mediates talks between Fatah and Hamas
(about 13 hours 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. Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi is hosting the leaders of the Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas as they try to revive a reconciliation deal.
Egypt helped broker the deal between Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who heads the Fatah party, and Hamas's Khaled Meshaal. Mr Morsi first met President Mahmoud Abbas, the head of Fatah, in Cairo and was then expected to meet the political chief of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal.
The Islamist movement ousted Fatah from Gaza in 2007 after winning Palestinian elections the previous year. 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.
Observers say tensions appear to have eased in recent months. However, tensions have eased recently.
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. Hamas and Fatah supporters have both been allowed to hold mass rallies in Gaza and the West Bank.
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. 'Exploratory'
Last October, Hamas boycotted local elections held in the West Bank, the first Palestinian polls in more than six years. Hamas was formed in 1987 as an offshoot of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, to which Mr Morsi belongs.
'We are partners' 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.
But observers say there have been signs of warming ties between the rivals ahead of Wednesday's talks. There has been no official announcement that Mr Abbas and Mr Meshaal will meet in Cairo.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the mediation in the Egyptian capital was "exploratory".
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 Palestinian Authority of Mr Abbas.
In a recent speech, Mr Meshaal urged "reconciliation and national unity of the Palestinian ranks". 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.
"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. Fatah said the verdict was unjust and political.
The Islamist Hamas group and the secular 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.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.