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May 5, 2011

Palestinian Factions Sign Unity Deal in Egypt 
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Palestinian leaders gathered in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday to mark the
signing of a unity deal between the main factions, Fatah and Hamas.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal held
their first face-to-face meeting since 2006. Palestinian activist
Mustafa Barghouti called on the international community to back the
deal.

Mustafa Barghouti: "What you've seen today is not only a sign of unity
but, I hope you've read in the speeches that were made, the sign of
moderation from all Palestinians, including Hamas, and that's a very
important step forward. I believe that Europe, the United States,
everybody in this world should support the unity agreement. Israel, of
course, is against the unity agreement, and that's very clear. Why?
Because [Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor] Lieberman who doesn't know
how to speak diplomatically said that very clearly. He said: 'We want
Palestinians to remain divided so that they remain weak.' And we want to
become unified so we become powerful and strong so that we can achieve
real peace."



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