What is the current status of the Palestinian national unity talks?
The Egyptian-sponsored talks aimed at forming a Palestinian national unity government have so far resulted in an agreement reached on Sunday, March 15 by Palestinian groups to hold presidential and legislative elections by January 25, 2010. Of the 12 factions meeting in Egypt, the two major players were Hamas, which won democratic elections in 2006 after which Israel and the international community instituted crippling economic sanctions against the Palestinian Authority (PA), and Fatah, the once-dominant political force led by PA President Mahmoud Abbas. The talks were officially adjourned on Thursday, March 19, but spokesmen say another round will be called in the near future.
