Palestinian Unity Talks On Hold

The BBC reports:

A scheduled meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal has been postponed, officials say.

Tuesday's talks in Cairo, Egypt, had been aimed at reaching consensus over a new reconciliation government.

But continued disagreements meant the talks had been postponed indefinitely, said Fatah officials in Ramallah.

The delay has cast doubts on last month's unity deal between Hamas and Fatah aimed at ending a four-year rift.

The split has left the Palestinians with rival governments in the Fatah-governed West Bank and Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. The unity agreement is intended to pave the way for a joint interim government ahead of national elections next year.