Palestinian factions to stage peace talks

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CAIRO, May 27 (UPI) -- The Egyptian government has convinced several Palestinian factions, including Hamas, to begin talks aimed at limiting the widespread violence in the Mideast.

Based on the belief that an agreement between Hamas and Fatah could lead to a cease-fire with Israel, Egyptian officials have prompted the warring factions to agree to begin talks to restrict regional violence, The Jerusalem Post said Sunday.

A spokesman for Hamas said the group agreed to attend the talks in Cairo with the intention of unifying all Palestinians against Israel.

"We support any effort to consolidate the Palestinian internal front," spokesman Ayman Taha said. "We must be united in confronting the only enemy we have: Israel."

Another spokesman for the Palestinian group reiterated that stance, citing Israel's alleged insincerity in regard to a cease-fire truce.

"The problem is not with the Palestinians or the truce," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum told the Post. "The Palestinians have already offered Israel a long-term truce, but Israel is not interested in stability and security in this region."