Palestinian rivals Hamas and Fatah sign reconciliation deal

The rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have signed a landmark
reconciliation pact aimed at ending their bitter four-year rift.

A ceremony marking the deal, which was mediated by Egypt, took place on
Wednesday at the Egyptian intelligence headquarters in Cairo.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said his
faction was "ready to pay any price" for reconciliation among
Palestinians, the Arabic satellite channel al-Arabiya reported.

The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, said the accord ended "four
black years" that hurt national Palestinian interests. He also said at
the ceremony that he would soon visit the Hamas-held Gaza Strip.

"We announce to Palestinians that we turn forever the black page of
division," he said.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/04/palestinian-rivals-hamas-fat
ah-deal