Egypt invites Palestinian factions for dialogue in Cairo

Egypt has officially invited on Thursday Palestinian factions and political powers to a broader Palestinian reconciliation dialogue that is scheduled to be in Cairo on November 21, officials said.

Ismail Haniyeh, Islamic Hamas movement's chief, said in an official press statement that Egypt invited his movement to the broader national Palestinian dialogue that will be held in Cairo later this month, Xinhua reported.

"Hamas is to form a high-ranking delegation that will include leaders from inside and outside the Gaza Strip to join the dialogue and carry on with finalising the Palestinian reconciliation," it said.

Holding a comprehensive dialogue, which will include leaders of all Palestinian factions and powers, was decided in an agreement reached in Cairo between the two rivals in October 12.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian left-wing Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) announced that it has also received an official invitation from Egypt to send a delegation to Cairo on Nov. 21 for a comprehensive dialogue.

Sources close to the dialogue said the factions are to discuss implementing a reconciliation agreement reached in Cairo in 2011, including the formation of a unity government and setting up a date for holding the general Palestinian elections.

--IANS

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