RAMALLH, West Bank - The government of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Sunday said there was a "historic chance" to end a long-running rift with Hamas, hours after the rival Islamist group pledged key concessions on its control of the Gaza Strip. Hamas also promised to dissolve a disputed administrative committee in Gaza and invited Abbas' government to assume responsibility in the coastal enclave. The group's announcement came after separate talks in Cairo between officials from Hamas and Abbas' Fatah party and Egyptian intelligence officials. "This round of talks sponsored by Egypt represents a real historic chance to end divisions," spokesman for the Palestinian government, Youssef al-Mahmoud, said. Hamas said Sunday it was ready to meet in Cairo with Fatah and other factions on the formation of a unity government.

Source: The China Post September 17, 2017 21:22 UTC