Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah will meet Monday in Cairo for discussions about the implementation of a recently-ratified reconciliation agreement, a Fatah member said. In a press statement released on Monday in Amman, Azam al-Ahmad, a member of Fatah's Central Committee, said both groups will tackle the formation of a new national unity government and the issues of detainees in both Gaza and the West Bank. Ahmad said the meetings in Cairo will continue for three days. Representatives of both groups will later head to Moscow, as per an invitation from Russia's foreign ministry made as part of Moscow's bid to support the deal and push for fast implementation. "Dialogue in Cairo will discuss the new government, but the final action in that respect will be made in the Palestinian territories under consultation and accordance with other factions," Ahmad said. Ahmad predicted that the government will be formed within three to four weeks, dismissing reports of the selection of its top minister. He explained that the appointment of the new government means implementing 90 percent of the reconciliation deal, adding that the anticipated government's duties will include security issues. Ahmad pointed out that another task for the government will be to consolidate the authorities in Gaza and the West Bank under Egyptian-Arab observation, as stated in the agreement signed by Palestinian factions in Cairo in early May. Translated from the Arabic Edition
