Hamas, Fatah begin unity talks

Representatives of all the Palestinian factions began meeting in Cairo yesterday to discuss ways of implementing a stalled reconciliation deal, delegates said.
But officials played down expectations of a breakthrough, with Fatah delegation head Azzam al-Ahmed telling AFP he did not expect any agreement on the key issues of security and an interim government "before the end of January."
On the agenda were questions relating to a range of key issues, including the formation of a caretaker cabinet, security, parliamentary and presidential elections, which are to take place in May, and reformation of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), he said.