RAMALLAH, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations urged the Palestinian parties on Wednesday to "seize the current positive momentum and reach an agreement on national unity."
United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nickolay Mladenov, urged the Palestinian parties in an emailed statement, "to allow the Palestinian government to immediately take up its responsibilities in Gaza Strip."
Mladenov praised the recent developments related to Palestinian unity in Cairo, adding that "reconciliation is critical to addressing the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza, preventing the continuing militant buildup and restoring hope for the future."
He stressed that Gaza is and must be an integral part of any future Palestinian state. "Unity is an essential step towards the peaceful realization of the Palestinian national aspirations," Mladenov said.
Fateh member Azzam Al-Ahmad, in charge of the reconciliation dossier, announced Tuesday that he would meet with senior Egyptian leaders in Cairo on resolving the Palestinian division.
On Saturday, Hamas politburo chief Haneya and several high-ranking Hamas leaders, including Yehya Sinwar, Hamas chief in Gaza headed to Cairo for talks with the Egyptians on several files and issues.
