Amid reconciliation efforts, Fatah plans Gaza visit

Palestinian group Fatah has welcomed a new Egyptian proposal aimed at solving its differences with the rival party, Hamas, and has promised a visit to the Gaza Strip.

The newly-elected member of Fatah's Central Committee, Jibril Rajoub, said Thursday that his party has agreed to the latest proposal, expressing hope that the plan would bring the two rival parties closer to form a 'national unity agreement'.

Rajoub said the decision followed consultations with senior Fatah members inside and outside of the Palestinian territories, adding that a delegation of high-ranking Fatah members planned to visit the Gaza Strip soon for talks with Hamas leaders.

The draft proposal, now accepted by both Fatah and Hamas, urges presidential and parliamentary elections in the Palestinian territories in early 2010, not in January of the same year as originally planned.

According to the initiative, the vote would be held under Arab and Western supervision in 16 electoral districts, 11 in the West Bank and five in the Gaza Strip.

It also envisages the establishment of a security committee that would consist of 'professional' officers and would be monitored by Egypt.

The proposal also calls for another new committee, comprising representatives of all Palestinian factions, tasked with preparing for elections, reconciliation among rival factions and reconstruction of Gaza areas devastated in Israel's Operation Cast Lead.

Hamas legislator Salah Bardaweel referred to discussions held between the movement's Damascus-based leader Khaled Mashaal and Egyptian officials, stressing Hamas was keen on finding a way to end political differences with Fatah.

Bardaweel cited Mashaal's warning that holding elections only in the West Bank would further complicate matters and widen the division among the Palestinians, and called for a reconciliation accord between Hamas and Fatah before any elections should be held.

Bardaweel hailed Cairo for displaying 'understanding' toward the resistance movement's position, especially its demand that Fatah release all its supporters held in West Bank jails.