Ongoing Fatah-Hamas unity talks in Cairo extended through Sunday
Published today (updated) 18/07/2009 21:52
www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=212945

Cairo - Ma'an - Sources close to the ongoing unity talks in Cairo told Ma'an
on Saturday that "deep, serious and honest discussions" were being carried
out in an effort to end two years of bitter division between Fatah and
Hamas.

"All the issues were presented, at the top of which were security, a joint
national committee [to operate Gaza in lieu of an agreement], elections and
the issue of prisoners," added the source, who spoke on the condition of
anonymity.

"It was decided we would extend the preliminary sessions through Sunday to
complete the dialogue, hoping to reach an agreement by 28 July, which we
could present to Egyptian mediators and finally wrap up this era of
division," the source said.

Despite the alleged breakthrough on Saturday, the source went on to say that
a meeting on Sunday would be necessary to wrap up, noting that old
allegations of politically motivated arrests on both sides have overshadowed
much of the discussions.

"Hamas demanded the release of its affiliates in the West Bank," said the
same source, adding that "the Palestinian Authority is continuing its
procedures against Hamas affiliates." The US-backed PA is closely affiliated
to Fatah, and has denied accusations it arrests Hamas affiliates solely for
their political affiliation.

Concerning Fatah prisoners allegedly seized by the Hamas-run de facto
government in Gaza, our source said that Fatah's negotiators have not
officially presented their position, maintaining that the arrests were
illegal in the first place regardless of political affiliation, and that
Hamas' control of Gaza was established by force. Fatah refused to deal with
the issue as the "status quo," the source said.

Ma'an has also learned that an Islamic Jihad delegation was en route to the
meetings in Cairo, and would also make an appearance in Damascus to discuss
concerns, presumably with exiled officials there, over the success of the
national unity talks.

The delegation includes Mohammad Al-Hendi, Jamil Yousef, Nafeth Azzam,
Ibrahim An-Najjar, Khaled Al-Batsh and Khader Habib.

Meanwhile on Saturday, Egypt urged Hamas not to allow its forces to obstruct
Fatah members from reaching the West Bank to attend Fatah's sixth conference
in Bethlehem, which is scheduled for August. Hamas promised to study the
issue, but issued no other response.