MK Barakeh Meets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas

Palestinian newspaper Al-Ayyam quoted on Monday President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) stressing that he wants to see the Palestinian reconciliation agreement implemented and all obstacles in the way overcome. Abbas made these statements during a meeting with MK Mohammad Barakeh, the chairman of the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash), and Nazareth mayor Ramez Jarayse.

According to Ma’an news agency Fatah and Hamas officials are scheduled to meet in Cairo on Monday to discuss implementing the reconciliation agreement signed more than a year ago. Fatah officials Azzam al-Ahmad and Sakhr Bseiso are due to meet with Hamas officials Mousa Abu Marzouq and Muhammad Nasr, the source said.

MK Barakeh during a demonstration against the occupation

MK Barakeh during a demonstration against the occupation (Photo: Al-Ittihad)

e Gaza Strip, a step they say is pivotal towards building a unity government. Hamas and Fatah have led separate governments in Gaza and the West Bank since they split amid bitter fighting in 2007.

In May 2011, Abbas and Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal pledged in Cairo to form a government to prepare for elections within one year. More than a year on, both parties have failed to implement the most basic elements of the deal, with each side blaming the other for the impasse.