GAZA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) announced on Saturday that the second round of Palestinian dialogue had ended in Cairo under Egyptian sponsorship, with both sides describing the talks as positive.
Monzer al-Hayek, Fatah spokesperson in the Gaza Strip and member of its Revolutionary Council, said in a press statement that the talks aimed to build common ground on political, national and organizational issues.
He said the discussions sought to promote Palestinian unity and protect the Palestinian national project, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the program and commitments of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
Fatah's delegation, headed by Jibril Rajoub, secretary of its Central Committee, praised Egypt for hosting the talks and supporting Palestinian unity, according to the statement.
In a separate press statement, Hamas said its delegation, headed by its leader in the West Bank Zaher Jabarin, had concluded several days of national dialogue in Cairo.
The delegation held meetings to discuss ways to unite Palestinian positions and address national issues, the statement said.
Hamas said its delegation first met with Fatah representatives to discuss ways to ensure the dialogue's success.
It later held an expanded meeting with representatives of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the reformist current within Fatah.
Participants stressed the need to resolve issues that had hindered previous rounds of dialogue, the statement said.
Hamas said comprehensive national dialogue was essential to addressing Palestinian issues and confronting Israeli occupation plans.
It called for a shared vision to rebuild and reform the PLO to ensure the participation of all Palestinian factions and political forces, as well as agreement on a common strategy and greater efforts to promote the Palestinian cause at the regional and international levels.
Hamas said the factions had agreed to continue dialogue until reaching common understandings, while praising Egypt's role in hosting the talks.
Cairo hosted the first round of consultations on Palestinian national dialogue earlier this month.
The Palestinians have been divided since mid-2007, when Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip, while the Palestinian Authority has exercised limited self-rule in parts of the West Bank. ■
