Egypt, Islamic Jihad achieve common view on Palestinian issue

Egyptian officials on Sunday met with visiting Palestinian faction Islamic Jihad delegation and achieved a common view on efforts to end Palestinian infighting and cement a Gaza ceasefire, the Egyptian MENA new agency reported.

The talks between the Egyptian group, led by Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman and the Islamic Jihad delegation, led by deputy secretary general of the movement Ziyad Nokhala, wrapped up late Sunday and the two sides saw eye to eye on the issues discussed, the MENA report said.

The talks dealt with means to cement the Fatah-Hamas truce, enhance Palestinian partnership and set up a mechanism on the ground to help implement agreements under Egyptian supervision.

Earlier, Egyptian officials held similar separate talks with both Fatah and Hamas movements, Hamas group promised on Saturday that it is preparing a paper on how to consolidate mutual confidence and preserve the current ceasefire to enhance national unity.

Meanwhile, MENA quoted Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha as saying that Egypt had promised to help hammer out an agreement and monitor any violations, while asking Palestinian factions to outline a mechanism to consolidate Hamas-Fatah ceasefire and put the Palestinian house in order.

Following meetings with Fatah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad delegations, Egyptian officials will hold talks with other Palestinian factions, including the Popular Fronts for the Liberation of Palestine and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Egypt aimed to use these meetings to "close the Palestinian ranks, halt infighting and reach a ceasefire with Israel," said MENA.

Source: Xinhua