Fatah and Hamas to meet in Egypt next Sunday

Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas will meet in Cairo on Sunday to discuss ways to implement a reconciliation pact signed in May, a Hamas official said Tuesday. In a statement, Hamas political bureau member Ezzat al-Rashq said the meeting will be the first since mid-May. It will follow up on issues related to the pact. Deutche Presse Agentur reports that the meeting will focus on issues such as detainees, impacts of division among factions, the Palestinian Liberation Organization, and other issues mentioned in the pact, Rashq said. He said the issue of forming a new government will not be addressed because Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas insists on nominating current Prime Minister Salam Fayyad to head it, which will hamper its formation. Fatah''s delegation will be headed by member of the movement''s central committee Azzam al-Ahmed and Hamas'' delegation will be headed by political bureau member Moussa Abu Marzouk.