Fatah official outlines deal to implement reconciliation
Published yesterday (updated) 17/01/2013 20:29
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=557077

GAZA/BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Senior Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmad said on
Thursday that representatives of his party and rivals Hamas had agreed a set
of principles to implement a reconciliation agreement.

The deal is nearly two years old, but has never been enforced as the party's
continue to squabble, sustaining a five-year feud.

Al-Ahmad said party officials met in Cairo and agreed an implementation
plan. The document stipulates the Central Elections Commission, public
freedoms committee and social reconciliation committee will resume work by
Jan. 30.

Consultations over forming a joint government will also begin by the same
date.

The parties also agreed to stop issuing negative press releases about each
other, and to form another committee to oversee implementation of the
agreement.

The factional infighting split Palestine into separate governments in 2007.
National elections and parliamentary approval of legislation have been on
hold ever since.