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Palestinians Prepare to Sign Unity Deal; Israel Voices Opposition

   VOA News  May 04, 2011

   Leaders of the Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas are preparing to sign
   a reconciliation deal in Egypt on Wednesday as Israel warns Britain and
   France against backing the agreement.
   Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal are
   in Cairo for the signing ceremony for the agreement that is designed to
   unify the rival governments of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The plan
   calls for the formation of an interim Palestinian government followed
   by presidential and legislative elections within a year.
   Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyanu is holding talks
   in London with his British counterpart, David Cameron, on Wednesday. He
   will later meet later with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
   Netanyahu is expected to urge both leaders not to recognize a
   Fatah-Hamas government because of his concerns that it could derail
   peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
   On Tuesday, Netanyahu issued a last-minute appeal for Abbas to cancel
   the agreement and - in his words - "choose the path to peace with
   Israel." Israel and the United States consider Hamas a terrorist group.
   However, Hamas says it is prepared to honor an unofficial truce with
   Israel.

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