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Palestinian dialogue opens in Cairo

Other News Materials 26 February 2009 14:51 (UTC +04:00)

A Palestinian national dialogue opened in Cairo on Thursday under Egyptian mediation with hopes that a dozen Palestinian groups can agree on a new government reuniting the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

The two Palestinian areas have had different political leaders since the Islamist group Hamas took control of Gaza in June 2007, leaving only the West Bank under the control of the Palestinian Authority, dominated by the rival Fatah group, reported World bulletin.

Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman told the opening: "(Egypt hopes) that this meeting is the real start of a new period ending the state of division which has gone on too long. The time has come for us to turn the page once and for all."

The Palestinians are meeting at intelligence headquarters. Suleiman's speech was broadcast by Egyptian television, along with pictures of the delegates sitting at a long table.

Suleiman said: "Everyone is looking towards you ... and are hanging their hopes on you. So do not prolong the disagreement and deepen the division. Unite ranks to fulfil the hopes of all for an independent Palestinian state."

The opening session will set up five committees on specific aspects of reunification, such as elections and the security services, and Suleiman suggested they start work on March 8.

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