GAZA, March 29 (Xinhuanet) -- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas voiced optimism on Tuesday over bringing radical groups Islamic Resistance Hamas and Islamic Jihad (Holy War) into the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

    Abbas made the statement after a meeting of the PLO executive committee in Gaza.

    Asked about the possibilities of joining the PLO by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, Abbas said, "I can say that we are very close to bringing every faction into the broader Palestinian national house that is called the Palestine Liberation Organization."

    The Palestinian leader said that it was possible to reach an agreement that can open the PLO's door to all the factions.

    "There is a possibility to agree on a broader agreement that can bridge the gaps in the strategies between the factions and the PLO," said Abbas.

    He further specified that the agreement will be based on the Cairo Declaration that was reached at the inter-Palestinian dialogue held in mid March.

    The Cairo Declaration said that the PLO should be reformed in a way that allows the participation of all the factions.

    Hamas and Jihad leaders said earlier this week that the groups have agreed in principle to join the PLO but insisted on reforming the bloc.

    The PLO, founded in 1964, is the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and made up of eight Palestinian groups, including the mainstream Fatah movement now led by Abbas.

    Hamas and Islamic Jihad, bent on the destruction of Israel, refused to join the PLO which removed anti-Israel clause from its charter. However, the groups modified their stances recently by opening merge talks with the PLO and agreeing to suspend violence against Israel.

    Hamas also announced to take part in the legislative elections on July 17. The group boycotted the first parliamentary elections in the Palestinian territories in 1996. Enditem