[23 March 2008] SANA'A, March 23 (Saba) - Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas signed here on Sunday Sana'a declaration that includes their consent on the Yemeni-sponsored reconciliation deal to enhance the Palestinian unity.

The deal was singed by top Hamas negotiator Mosa Abu Marzouq and senior Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmed.

"We, the representatives of Fatah and Hamas, agree to the Yemeni initiative as a framework to resume dialogue between the two movements to return the Palestinian situation to what it was before the Gaza incidents, as affirming on the "unity of the Palestinian people, territory and authority- Sana'a, March 23, 2008." the Sana'a Declaration read.

President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who attended the deal signing, said that we congratulate the Palestinian people on singing this initiative and I think it would enhance the trust between Fatah and Hamas and other Palestinian factions.

He pressed the two sides to agree to hold direct talks in early April on the plan that calls for the Gaza Strip to return to the way it was before June.

Saleh confirmed that the deal would be discussed in the coming Arab summit in Syria, expressing his thanks to the representatives of Fatah and Hamas on their good attentions during the four-day Sana'a dialogue.

TD/AF

Saba