A senior Fatah official said on Sunday Palestinian factions' responses to Egyptian proposals will set the fate of the national reconciliation dialogue.

"The Egyptian delegation asked the factions several questions about their views on the political prisoners, security issues and future elections" in the proposals handed over by the Egyptian mediators who have visited the West Bank recently, said Ibrahim Abu al-Najja.

"The answers to these issues will define the upcoming round of dialogue to be held on July 25," Abu al-Najja said.

The arrests of opponents that Hamas and Fatah have been doing since 2007, differences on the security control in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip and the Fatah-ruled West Bank and elections to be held next January are key issues.

The Egypt-sponsored dialogue mainly aims at reconciling Hamas and Fatah and ending the ensuing political split between Gaza and the West Bank.

The factions are due to hand over their answers to the Egyptians in two weeks, said Abu al-Najja, adding that he expected a progress.

Egypt hopes that the coming round of Palestinian unity talks would be the final.

(Xinhua News Agency July 13, 2009)