The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, San'a

Fatah and Hamas agreed Sunday on the goal of uniting in a single Palestinian government but failed to resolve the crucial question of how the rival factions should share power. After five days of talks using Yemeni officials as intermediaries, the West Bank-based Fatah government met face-to-face with representatives of the Hamas militants who seized control of the Gaza Strip in June. The two sides signed a declaration that both accept a Yemeni initiative calling for the creation of a national unity government and the rebuilding of security forces loyal to that government instead of factions. Fatah insists that Hamas must give up power in Gaza as part of any reconciliation deal. Hamas counters that Fatah must restore Hamas to a position of power in the West Bank as well as Gaza. The accord signed in San'a appeared to lean toward the Fatah version by calling simply for a national unity government in Gaza and the West Bank. Fatah said the plan should be implemented, but Hamas said it was just the basis for more dialogue.