(VOVworld) – The Hamas movement and the Palestinian Authority (PA) negotiated on Tuesday to form a national unity government ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections.

PA chief Abbas and Hamas leader Mashaal in Cairo (Photo: Reuters)

PA President Mahmoud Abbas received phone calls from Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal and Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh confirming their decision to join the national unity government with Fatah. Hamas leaders allegedly requested that the national unity government operate for six months instead of 3 years as agreed in the 2012 Doha agreement, one of many attempts to reconcile the two rival Palestinian factions. It is likely that Abbas would choose Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah to lead the unity government.

President Abbas may issue decrees after taking part in a conference of the foreign ministers of Arab countries scheduled for December 21^st in Cairo.