Hamas, Fatah delay unity govt till Dec. 10

By Mumin Garab

GAZA (AA) - The Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah asked Egypt, Wednesday, to postpone the Palestinian national reconciliation's assuming full political and administrative control of the Gaza Strip until Dec.10.

An extraordinary meeting was held in Gaza between the two groups with the attendance of an Egyptian security delegation.

Fatah spokesperson Fayez Abu Eitah read a joint statement during a press conference that followed the urgent meeting.

He said the delay was needed to complete the necessary preparations for a successful reconciliation.

On Oct. 12, Palestine’s two leading political movements signed a landmark reconciliation agreement in Cairo aimed at resolving a decade of bitter political division.

"The two sides agreed in principle to allow the legitimate Palestinian government to return to Gaza in accordance with [Palestinian] law," Azzam al-Ahmad, who led Fatah's delegation at the Cairo talks, said at a news conference.

The agreement also reportedly called for the Fatah-led Palestinian unity government to take control of the Gaza Strip by Dec.1.

Both groups have so far pointed out that they would make every effort to maintain the agreement.

The West Bank and the Gaza Strip have remained politically and administratively divided since 2007, when Hamas wrested control of the strip from Fatah following several days of street fighting.