Report: Egypt urges Palestinian unity

CAIRO, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Egypt says rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah should establish a unity cabinet ahead of Palestinian Authority elections slated for January.

Egypt's proposal envisions allowing Hamas to participate in Palestine Liberation Organization institutions traditionally controlled by Fatah in a bid to integrate the militant Islamic group into Fatah's more mainstream establishment, the Israeli Web site Ynetnews reported Monday.

Egyptian negotiators have issued an invitation to Hamas and Fatah to meet in Cairo Nov. 9 to discuss the ideas, the Web site said.

Without citing sources, Ynetnews said Fatah leaders fear allowing Hamas into its institutions would eventually lead to militants taking over the organization, endangering the status of the Oslo Accords it signed with Israel.

The Web site also says Egyptians have proposed a new election law meant to be acceptable for both Palestinian factions.