Palestinians Agree on Unity Government as Israel Protests

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Rival Palestinian factions agreed to form a unity government and hold new general elections, developments that if carried through will complicate efforts to revive U.S.-mediated peace talks with Israel.

Fatah, headed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and based in the West Bank, and Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, will form a joint government within five weeks and hold elections within six months, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said today in the Gaza Strip, where reconciliation talks were held.