Related: Hamas-Abbas meeting begins in Gaza City

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Senior leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), Mahmud al-Zahar(l), meets with Palestinian President Ahmoud Abbas(r) in Gaza City on Saturday evening over the formation of a new cabinet.

 GAZA, Feb. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- Senior Hamas leaders agreed with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas here on Saturday to inaugurate the new parliament on Feb. 16, sources said.

    The agreement was reached in the first meeting between Hamas leaders and Abbas since the militant group Hamas won a surprise victory in the Palestinian parliamentary elections on Jan. 25.

    Under the deal, Abbas will authorize a person appointed by Hamas to form the next government of the Palestinian National Authority.

    Hamas will send a delegation to Cairo on Sunday to consult with the Egyptian officials. Enditem