Hamas & Fatah agree to hold general elections in Palestine

Palestine’s two main political parties, Fatah and Hamas, have agreed to hold general elections within the next six months.

A press release issued after a meeting held at Palestinian Embassy in Istanbul said the two delegations had reached “a unified vision.”

The statement said they agree that the vision has matured and plan to move ahead with a nationwide dialogue with participation of all factions under patronage of President (Mahmoud) Abbas to take place before the first of October

Jibril Rajoub, secretary general of Fatah Central Committee, told Palestine TV that heads of all factions will meet soon in Ramallah and that the meeting will be followed by issuance of a presidential decree announcing the elections.

Rajoub said that the elections will take place at three stages within six months.

Hamas’ spokesman in Gaza, Fawzi Barhoum said they will have legislative elections, followed by presidential elections and then polls for Palestine National Council wherever possible.