Mobile  |  About us  |  Photos  |  Videos  |  Subscriptions  |  RSS Feeds  |  Today's Paper  |  Classifieds  |  Contact Us
Advanced Search
The Daily Star
SATURDAY, 18 MAY 2013
05:40 PM Beirut time
Weather    
Beirut
26 °C
Blom Index
BLOM
1,210.6down
Middle East
Follow this story Print Email this RSS Feed ePaper share this
Palestinian divisions persist as Cairo talks end
Agence France Presse
In this photo released by the Egyptian Presidency, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, left, laughs with Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi during a photo opportunity following Abbas' arrival in Cairo, Egypt, for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013. (AP Photo/Egyptian Presidency)
In this photo released by the Egyptian Presidency, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, left, laughs with Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi during a photo opportunity following Abbas' arrival in Cairo, Egypt, for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013. (AP Photo/Egyptian Presidency)
A+ A-

CAIRO: Palestinian factions meeting in Cairo wrapped up two days of talks aimed at reconciling the rival Hamas and Fatah late on Saturday although divisions remained over how exactly to apply the deal, an official said.

The talks, which began on Friday, were held under the umbrella of the provisional governing body of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).

"We agreed with Hamas to start consultations with the Palestinian factions about the formation of a government of technocrats led by President (Mahmud) Abbas under terms of the Doha Agreement," Fatah delegation chief Azzam al-Ahmad told reporters, referring to a deal between Hamas and Fatah nearly a year ago.

"There was agreement over most of the questions, except several points concerning the election law for the (Palestinian) National Council," he said of the PLO's sprawling legislature.

PLO Executive Committee member Wassel Abu Yussef had earlier on Saturday said that the main points of dispute were over the way elections were held for the PNC, as well as other issues relating to legislative and presidential elections in the Palestinian territories.

He also said there was disagreement over the timing of the establishment of a caretaker cabinet, which is supposed to prepare for new elections, and the announcement of a date for such a poll.

"Fatah wants the government formed at the same time as a decree setting the date for elections," Abu Yussef said.

"Hamas wants the government to be formed first to end the division before the date of elections is decided."

Maher al-Taher, head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine delegation, agreed there would need to be more talks to iron out differences of opinion.

"The atmosphere was positive but we need another meeting to sort out some interpretations and differences in point of view," he told reporters.

Another point of dispute is the type of voting system to be used, officials said.

Fatah and independent figures in the PLO provisional governing body want the same system to apply for the PNC and parliament, whereas Hamas wants proportional representation within the Palestinian National Council.

The Islamist movement which rules Gaza wants a breakdown of 75 percent proportional representation for polling in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and the rest under a one-person, one-vote system.

The Cairo talks were convened by Abbas, whose Fatah faction signed a reconciliation deal with Hamas in April 2011 aimed at ending years of rivalry, but which has never been properly implemented.

The PLO provisional governing council met in Cairo for the first time in December 2011. It groups PLO leaders and the heads of groups currently under its umbrella, as well as Hamas, Islamic Jihad and independent personalities.

Last week, Hamas authorised the Central Elections Commission to start registering voters in the Gaza Strip, removing a major obstacle to reconciliation with Fatah.

The CEC said voter registration will be carried out from February 11 to 18.

 
Home Middle East
 
     
 
Egypt / Palestine
Advertisement
Around the Web
Comments  

Your feedback is important to us!

We invite all our readers to share with us their views and comments about this article.

Disclaimer: Comments submitted by third parties on this site are the sole responsibility of the individual(s) whose content is submitted. The Daily Star accepts no responsibility for the content of comment(s), including, without limitation, any error, omission or inaccuracy therein. Please note that your email address will NOT appear on the site.

comments powered by Disqus
Story Summary
Palestinian factions meeting in Cairo wrapped up two days of talks aimed at reconciling the rival Hamas and Fatah late on Saturday although divisions remained over how exactly to apply the deal, an official said.

The talks, which began on Friday, were held under the umbrella of the provisional governing body of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).

Fatah and independent figures in the PLO provisional governing body want the same system to apply for the PNC and parliament, whereas Hamas wants proportional representation within the Palestinian National Council.

The Cairo talks were convened by Abbas, whose Fatah faction signed a reconciliation deal with Hamas in April 2011 aimed at ending years of rivalry, but which has never been properly implemented.
Related Articles
 
 
Fatah, Hamas agree to form Palestinian unity government
 
 
Abbas pledges unity govt talks 'in near future'
 
 
Palestinians' Abbas says to start talks on unity government
 
 
Abbas must form national unity government: party official
 
 
Deep-seated animosity trumps Palestinian calls for unity
Show More
Entities
Advertisement
Most Popular
Viewed Searched e-mailed
1. War drums loud, but main players look to avoid it
 
2. US slams Russian anti-ship missiles going to Syria
 
3. Woman shot to death in Chouf, son in custody
 
4. A nation graced with exceptional driving skills
 
5. Funeral set for Lebanese who drowned off Malta
 
6. France opposes Syria conference if Iran attends
Advertisement
Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Linked In Follow us on Google+ Subscribe to our Live Feed
Multimedia
Images  
Pictures of the day
A selection of images from around the world- Friday May 17, 2013
View all view all
Advertisement
Rami G. Khouri
Rami G. Khouri
Palestine splits Arab street and state
Michael Young
Michael Young
Washington blunders yet again in Syria
David Ignatius
David Ignatius
Scandal fever hits the Obama administration hard
View all view all
Advertisement
cartoon
 
Click to View Articles
 
 
News
Business
Opinion
Sports
Culture
Technology
Entertainment
Privacy Policy | Anti-Spamming Policy | Disclaimer | Copyright Notice
© 2013 The Daily Star - All Rights Reserved - Designed and Developed By IDS