The fifth round of inter-Palestinian talks kicked off in Egypt's capital on Saturday afternoon, but the talks will not tackle the issue of unity government, local Nile TV reported.

The issue of unity government will not be handled at the ongoing fifth round of inter-Palestinian dialogue, Nile TV quoted a senior Fatah official as saying.

"We are discussing an Egyptian proposal to form a committee from factions due to the huge gap between the factions on forming a unity government," the report quoted senior Fatah official Azzamal-Ahmed as saying.

"I don't think that this round will be the last," Azzam added.

Hamas and Fatah started on Saturday the fifth round of reconciliation talks under the supervision of Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman.

Hamas delegation is led by Moussa Abu Marzouk, while Fatah delegation is headed by former Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei.

According to the two movements' officials, the four basic issues that both sides failed to agree upon previously, are expected to be discussed in this fresh round of negotiations in Cairo.

In case there are positive results, they will hold a meeting that includes all the Palestinian factions to review the results.

The major topic would be related to forming a joint governing body that ends the rift between Hamas-ruled Gaza and Fatah-dominated West Bank. The parties have not yet agreed on the political platform of the proposed unity government.

The system of the general elections, the rehabilitation of the security apparatuses and reforming Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) are also on the agenda of the dialogue.

The last round of Palestinian talks was held in Cairo on April 27-28, but the two-day talks did not touch on the unity government, though some "substantial progress" has been achieved on Palestine Liberation Organization.

Egypt has said that it will continue to sponsor the dialogue and create proper atmosphere to end the current rift between Fatah and Hamas.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2009)