Hamas, Fatah sign agreement on power-sharing gov´t

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-09-2007 09:03

Fatah leader, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L), and exiled Hamas leader, Khaled Mashaal, signed the accord.

Rival Palestinian leaders have signed an agreement, in principle, on a power-sharing government. They're hoping to finally put an end to bitter fighting between their followers.

Fatah leader, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and exiled Hamas leader, Khaled Mashaal, signed the accord on Thursday, at a ceremony hosted by Saudi King Abdullah.

The deal sets out the principles of a proposed coalition government, and includes a promise that all parties will "respect" previous peace deals signed with Israel.

It also details how cabinet posts will be divided up in the new government.

Ghazi Hamad, Hamas spokesman, said, "We are doing with cooperation with our brothers in the Fatah organization and with full coordination between the President and the Prime Minister and between the two organizations and I think there is a positive atmosphere, I think this will contribute and also will help us in order to finish all the points in a very short time."

The summit is seen as a last-ditch attempt to resolve unremitting turmoil in the region with internecine fighting killing more than 90 Palestinians since December. Leaders at the summit also focussed on the peace process with Israel, which has been in a fragile state since Hamas won elections and formed a government early last year.

Editor:Du Xiaodan