RAMALLAH, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qurei announced on Tuesday that the reconciliation talks between the Palestinian rival Fatah and Hamas movements are to resume in Cairo on April 23.
Qurei told reporters that it is hoped that the two movements' leaders would be able to overcome their differences, mainly on forming a Palestinian unity government that ends the current political rift between them.
Hamas has been ruling the Gaza Strip after it took control of the enclave by force in June 2007, while the West Bank remained under the rule of moderate President Mahmoud Abbas.
Qurei said that Egyptian mediators want Abbas to form the government. However, Hamas still rejects to join any unity government that is committed to the international requirements, mainly the recognition of the Jewish state.
The International Quartet has stressed that it won't deal with any Palestinian coalition that is not committed to the requirements, including the recognition of the signed interim accords with Israel and the condemnation of violence.
Meanwhile, well-informed Palestinian sources, which spoke in condition of anonymity, said that Fatah and Hamas would accept an Egyptian proposal to form a steering committee that coordinates between Hamas and Fatah governments.
The sources said Hamas would keep ruling the Gaza Strip, and Fatah would keep ruling the West Bank, while a joint committee that includes representatives of all factions would be coordinating between the two governments.
"This solution is to get out of the impasse of forming a unity government with a political platform, and the committee will be transitional until new elections are held in January next year," said the sources.
It added that the committee will also coordinate the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the rebuilding of the Palestinian security apparatuses in both Gaza and the West Bank.
Earlier on Tuesday, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the inter-Palestinian unity talks will resume in Cairo on April 26.
