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Palestinian factions ask rivals for guarantees on reconciliation

Xinhua, February 16, 2016 Adjust font size:

Several Palestinian factions on Tuesday asked rival groups, Islamic Hamas movement and Fatah Party of President Mahmoud Abbas for guarantees on a reconciliation agreement if it's signed.

The factions said in a joint emailed press statement that the success of the efforts to reach a reconciliation agreement "needs to have guarantees and practical mechanism to implement what both rivals agree upon."

Leaders of various political factions, who held a meeting in Gaza city earlier on Tuesday, without Fatah representatives attendance, said they welcome the current efforts and dialogue held in Qatar to end the internal Palestinian split.

"The two rivals should be committed to implement their former understandings reached in the past in Cairo, in Doha and in Gaza city, and resolve issues like employees salaries, closure of crossings and electricity crisis," said the statement.

The meeting was attended by Hamas movement's representatives.

The factions' leaflet also said that the political program of the unity government which the two sides expected to agree upon should be in accordance and must be based on reactivating the inoperative Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).

"Holding the general elections, achieving full political partnership and reforming Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) should be altogether an introduction for achieving real and full reconciliation," said the factions' statement.

Last week, leaders of Fatah and Hamas, who resumed their dialogue on achieving reconciliation, met in Qatar to find the ways of implementing their former deals and understandings on ending the internal split.

They said in a joint statement after two-day discussions and debates that they agreed on a specific formula for implementing the agreements which need to get the permission of their political leaderships.

In 2007, internal Palestinian split started when Hamas militias had violently seized control of the Gaza Strip following weeks on internal fighting with Abbas security forces, which ended up with Hamas full control on the enclave. Endit