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Egypt ready to host Palestinian talks: report

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-24 19:46

CAIRO -- Egypt is ready to host a meeting gathering all Palestinian factions on means of easing the situation in the Gaza Strip and preparing for the resumption of an inter-Palestinian dialogue, the state MENA news agency reported.

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The date for the meeting will be set "whenever Egypt receives the approval of the Palestinian factions' secretaries general," MENA quoted an official Egyptian source as saying.          

The move to host such a consultative meeting came as part of the Egyptian responsibility towards the Palestinian cause, said the source on condition of anonymity.

The source said the Arab League welcomes Egypt's announcement to continue its efforts for the Palestinian reconciliation.

The inter-Palestinian dialogue, which was scheduled for November 10 in Cairo, was boycotted by Hamas movement that took over Gaza by force in June 2007.

Meanwhile, a six-month truce between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups, brokered by Egypt, expired last Friday following failed efforts to resume the truce or extend it for another six months.

Egypt will continue exerting its efforts to resume the inter-Palestinian dialogue and push for a new truce in and around Gaza, Palestinian National Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said here Tuesday following talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.