Gaza - The implementation of an Egyptian plan for reconciliation between the Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas and the rival Fatah movement would take at least six months, according to top leader Hamas Mahmoud al-Zahar on Saturday. "On October 25, Egypt will call for a three-way meeting between Fatah and Hamas. We agreed in principle with the Egyptians to end the Palestinian political split within six to nine months," said al-Zahar.
Speaking with the London-based daily al-Sharq al-Awsat, al-Zahar said that Hamas agreed with Egypt to form a national government and reform security services as part of resolving the crisis with rival Fatah movement.
Egypt has been holding a series of separate bilateral talks with representatives of 13 Palestinian factions, including rival Hamas and Fatah. It came up with a plan for reconciliation based on the views of all the factions.
A senior Fatah movement official on Saturday welcomed the acceptance by the Islamic movement Hamas of Egypt's plan for inter- Palestinian reconciliation that would end the current political split.
"The Egyptians have officially informed me personally that Hamas accepted their plan. This news pleased me and pleased President Mahmoud Abbas," said Nabil Shaath, head of Fatah delegation to the dialogue with Hamas in Cairo.
Shaath, who is currently in Cairo, told Voice of Palestine Radio that "accepting the Egyptian plan by all factions, including Fatah and Hamas, is a step forward towards ending the current political split between Gaza and the West Bank."
The Islamic movement took control of the Gaza Strip after routing Abbas security forces there last summer. The Palestinian Authority leadership remains in the West Bank.
Al-Zahar, member of Hamas delegation to the dialogue in Cairo, had earlier said Egypt was intending to invite leaders of the two rival movements for trilateral dialogue to discuss the Egyptian plan.
However, a senior Fatah movement official denied that his movement had received an invitation for talks with Hamas and the Egyptians, saying that bilateral dialogue should be held after the formation of a government.
