Leader predicts Palestinian reconciliation

JERUSALEM, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Fatah and Hamas may reconcile soon, reforming into a single movement, a Palestinian leader predicts.

Muhammad Shtayyeh, president of the Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction, said Tuesday the two parties could sit down together in Cairo for a reconciliation session Nov. 9, The Jerusalem Post reported. Shtayyeh spoke during a panel discussion at the Peres Center for Peace in Jerusalem where he was representing the Fatah leader, President Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen.

"You said that the Palestinians have a divided house," Shtayyeh told the moderator, Christine Amanpour. "I want to comfort all of you that on the ninth of November there will be a session of national reconciliation based on the appeal of President Abu Mazen."

Israeli defense officials expect Hamas to maintain its truce in Gaza until after parliamentary elections now set for February. The ceasefire is to expire in December.