Egypt’s Mursi, Abbas in fresh round of Palestinian unity talks

Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi is set to meet with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas later this week to discuss a deal, involving Egypt, to propose reconciliation between Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas.

The meeting is set to begin on Wednesday with discussions on the formation of a transitional government that can be trusted by both factions, according to Fatah delegation head Azzam Al-Ahmed, as quoted by Egypt’s Ahram Online.

Other issues that will top the agenda include elections, security, and the reorganization of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), the report added.

Earlier this year, the leaders of the rival Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas agreed in Cairo to renew efforts to implement a two-year-old unity deal.

The agreement followed talks, the first in 18 months, between Abbas of Fatah and exiled Meshaal.
Earlier, both had separately met Mursi.

The groups have been at odds since Hamas ousted Abbas' forces from the Gaza Strip during clashes in 2007.