Hamas, Fatah to meet in Cairo next week

Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah will meet in Cairo next week to discuss differences regarding the formation of a national consensus government, Hamas deputy chief Moussa Abu Marzouk said. Hamas' number two told London-based newspaper Al-Hayat that the meeting will directly address points of difference between the two groups, wishing the meeting to score progress. The latest government shuffle by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas "won't affect the reconciliation path, but will leave a negative impression on the Palestinian street towards the government, because the reconciliation is a critical issue for Palestinians," said Abu Marzouk. The senior Hamas official added that the movement's internal elections in the West Bank and abroad haven't started yet and will probably start in a month, noting that Gaza's election has resulted in changing 30 percent of the leadership. Abu Marzouk called on all concerned sides not to take any measures that might "set things backwards."