A new round of Hamas-Fatah unity talks has been postponed until after the month of Ramadan, am Arabic newspaper reported on Sunday. The talks were set to start on Tuesday in Cairo.
According to Sharq Al-Awsat daily, an Egyptian official said that the delay came following the recent visits paid by an Egyptian security delegation to Ramallah and Damascus. The Egyptian delegation, led by General Muhammad Ibrahim, met separately with Hamas and Fatah leaders.
Meanwhile, press reports on Sunday claimed that the Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas has ordered the release of 200 Hamas-affiliated prisoners as a goodwill gesture in advance of the talks. Sunday's announcement came after a similar decision by Hamas to release 50 Fatah members from jails in Gaza Strip.
