GAZA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- A delegation from the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) headed to Cairo on Saturday, while the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) affirmed its commitment to participating in the legislative elections scheduled for November as part of the broadest possible national coalition.
Munther al-Hayek, a member of Fatah's Revolutionary Council and the movement's spokesperson, said in a brief statement that the delegation, headed by Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh, left for Cairo to meet with Egyptian officials.
The delegation will also meet with representatives of Palestinian factions as part of efforts to prepare for the elections and ensure their success, strengthening Palestinian national unity and paving the way for the next phase, al-Hayek said.
A Fatah source, who requested anonymity, told Xinhua that preparations are underway for a meeting with Hamas to discuss the upcoming legislative elections and challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
Meanwhile, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said in a statement that the movement remains committed to participating in the upcoming legislative elections within the broadest possible national coalition.
Qassem said the move reflects Hamas' desire to make the elections an opportunity to establish a consensual political system acceptable to all Palestinian factions and to pave the way for a unified national leadership to jointly address national issues amid the challenges facing the Palestinian people and their cause.
Fatah's visit to Cairo comes amid reports of efforts to form an electoral alliance involving Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and the Democratic Reformist Current.
Cairo has hosted a series of intra-Palestinian meetings in recent days involving the factions, as well as talks with Egyptian officials and mediators on a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a presidential decree on July 9 setting Nov. 28 as the date for the legislative elections, with presidential elections scheduled for the first quarter of next year.
The last Palestinian legislative elections were held in 2006. Subsequent elections were postponed amid the political division between Fatah and Hamas. ■
