Egypt, Qatar pushing Palestinian reconciliation

A member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation's (PLO) executive committee Yasser al-Wadiyeh has announced fresh negotiations with Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas to push for Palestinian reconciliation, and set course for a transitional government led by president Mahmoud Abbas, according to the terms of the Doha agreement. Wadiyeh told the Gaza-based al-Ressala newspaper that both Egypt and Qatar have vowed to make direct contact with the rival parties to smooth the way for the long-anticipated reconciliation, while some Palestinian officials urged the two countries to send delegations for meetings with the Palestinian representatives. Wadiyeh said he was "optimistic for a breakthrough in negotiations". Meanwhile, Hamas accused Fatah's security agencies of running a detention campaign against Hamas members in the West Bank, which Hamas says is a major issue preventing the reconciliation.