MECCA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) - Mohamed Nazzal, a senior Hamas movement leader asserted on Thursday afternoon that his movement and rival Fatah movement have removed all differences related to forming a national unity government.

    "We had overcome all differences related to forming the new government. A final statement would be declared later on Thursday night or Friday morning to announce that the parties reached an agreement," Nazzal told media.

    He added: "I don't think that any of the outstanding issues, in the frame of forming the new national unity government, are still unresolved."

    Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, and Prime Minister Haneya of Hamas and exiled Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal, as well as some other senior leaders from the two rival movements arrived here Tuesday.

    They have been holding marathon meetings since Wednesday in the holy Saudi Arabia city, vowing that they won't leave Mecca back to Gaza before they reach an agreement on forming a national unity government.

    A well-informed source closed to Hamas movement has earlier revealed that rival Hamas and Fatah movement's leaders agreed on Thursday on the shares of portfolios in the new national unity government.

    The source, which spoke in condition of anonymity, said that it was agreed that Hamas movement would get seven portfolios in the new government, while Fatah agreed to take six portfolios.

    In addition to the Prime Minister post, Hamas would get the ministries of education, al-Waqf (Islamic property), labor, municipal affairs, sports and youth, Justice and communication, while Fatah would get the posts of ministers of health, social affairs, public work, transportation, agriculture and prisoners affairs.

    The source said that it was also agreed that Hamas would name three independent ministers: minister of interior, minister of planning and a state minister, while Fatah would name two independent ministers: minister of foreign affairs and a state minister.

    It was also agreed to give four portfolios to the other four blocks in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) which are the PFLP, the DFLP, the Third Way and Independent Palestine.

    Sallam Fayyad, from the Third Way party is apparently the one who would be the minister of finance.

    The dialogue was launched on Wednesday morning. During an opening ceremony, leaders of both movements asserted that they are determined to reach an agreement on forming a national unity government.

    The two parties were invited by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to hold reconciliation dialogue following two bloody weeks of armed fighting between their militants, where dozens had been killed and wounded.