Palestinians rally in support of unity

GAZA CITY, Gaza, May 11 (UPI) -- Hundreds of Palestinians demonstrated in Gaza City Wednesday in support of the reconciliation process between rival factions Hamas and Fatah, officials said.

In a show of unity, demonstrators and police marched side-by-side from in front of the Abu Khadra government headquarters building toward the Square of the Unknown Soldier in the center of Gaza City, Ma'an News Agency reported.

Marchers waved Palestinian flags and chanted "the people want to protect the agreement," "the people and the police are united," and "Gaza and the West Bank, one government."

Fahmi Kan'an, a Fatah member deported from the West Bank to Gaza following the siege of the Nativity Church, said he and other deportees took part in the rally "to demand quick achievements in the implementation of the agreement."

He said he looked forward to seeing a unified government take hold.

A unity agreement was signed by Hamas and Fatah in Cairo last week.