Palestinian factions agreed to form committees that will establish a unity government for the West Bank and Gaza Strip during an Egyptian-brokered talks in Cairo on Thursday. Negotiators of the factions led by Fatah and Hamas said in a news conference after the meeting that they had agreed to end their bitter fighting in a bid to form one government.

Hamas and Fatah also agreed to free prisoners and to stop smear campaigns in the media, according to a statement released after the meeting. Representatives of all the Palestinian groups agreed to form five committees to address security and the formation of an election commission.

The committees would start their work March 10 and complete their work at the end of the month, by which time they hope a national unity government will be formed.

The breakthrough came three days ahead of an international donor conference in Egypt that hopes to raise money for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

© 2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)