Hamas, Fatah reach agreement in Cairo

Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah Thursday announced that they have reached understanding on all pending issues after two-day negotiations in the Egyptian capital Cairo, Egypt's state-run MENA news agency reported.

The two factions in a joint statement said that they reached understanding on issues including the work of the government in Gaza, ending the Israeli blockade, reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, the work of the legislative council, employees, the public freedom committee, the societal reconciliation panel and elections.

The meeting between Hamas and Fatah were held under the sponsorship of Egypt's intelligence chief Mohamed Tohami.

The two sides also agreed on empowering the national unity government and its ministers, and reiterated their full support for the government in its efforts to end the Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip and re-operate all the crossings with the Israeli side.

The statement called on all institutions and bodies concerned, especially the Palestinian government, to swiftly finalise plans required to rebuild Gaza.

The two factions asserted their full readiness to cooperate with the UN and all its bodies to achieve the reconstruction process.