The rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah will finally sign a reconciliation agreement on 15 October, effectively ending two years of disunity and violence that began in the summer of 2007.
Ma'an has learned from informed sources in Cairo that the deal proposed by Egypt will be accepted by both parties without amendment.
According to these sources, Hamas and Fatah will receive copies of the draft agreement by Monday at the latest, and its signing will be scheduled as follows.
- Drafts will be handed to Hamas and Fatah within 24 hours.
- Hamas and Fatah will sign the document on 15 October.
- All other Palestinian factions will sign on 20 October.
- Egypt will unilaterally announce that all factions reached an agreement on 20 October.
- Mahmoud Abbas will issue a presidential decree on 25 October.
- The decree will announce legislative and presidential elections scheduled for 26 June 2010.
- A public inauguration of the unity agreement will be held after the Muslim Eid Al-Adha holiday.
Meanwhile, Ma'an learned from other sources in Cairo that President Abbas will deliver a major address on Sunday evening, which will likely focus on the national dialogue, the UN-backed Goldstone report, or both.
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