Cairo, 26 Feb-(ANA)-Leaders of the rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah have opened reconciliation talks in a renewed effort to create a unity government.
Delegations from each side, and other Palestinian factions, met at the office in Cairo of the powerful Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman.
"We hope this meeting is the real start of a new period ending the state of division," Mr Suleiman said.
On Wednesday both groups agreed to release detainees from the other side.
They also pledged to stop attacking each other in the media to foster goodwill between the two sides.
Solving Fatah-Hamas differences is seen also as an essential step if an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal were to happen - although with Israel also at a political crossroads analysts say that could be a long way off. (ANA)
Palestine/Drink