A Palestinian national dialogue opened in Cairo today under Egyptian auspices with hopes that a dozen Palestinian groups can agree on a new government reuniting the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
The two Palestinian areas have had different political leaders since the Islamist group Hamas took control of Gaza in June 2007, leaving only the West Bank under the control of the Palestinian Authority, dominated by the rival Fatah group.
Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman told the opening: "[Egypt hopes] that this meeting is the real start of a new period ending the state of division which has gone on too long. The time has come for us to turn the page once and for all."
The Palestinians are meeting at intelligence headquarters.
Mr Suleiman's speech was broadcast by Egyptian television, along with pictures of the delegates sitting at a long table.
Mr Suleiman said: "Everyone is looking towards you . . . and are hanging their hopes on you. So do not prolong the disagreement and deepen the division. Unite ranks to fulfil the hopes of all for an independent Palestinian state."
The opening session will set up five committees on specific aspects of reunification, such as elections and the security services, and Mr Suleiman suggested they start work on March 8th.
The national dialogue was preceded by talks between Fatah and Hamas on Wednesday. The two groups exchanged promises to free each other's detainees in Gaza and the West Bank.
Reuters