Egypt tells Palestinian factions talks to refrain from partisanship

Cairo: Egypt's chief of intelligence is asking Palestinian factions meeting in Cairo to work together to end their deep rift.

Gen. Omar Suliaman on Thursday welcomed the various factions in comments aired live on Egypt's state television.

He also called on all the factions to refrain from partisanship.

The talks are aimed at mending the deep divisions between the militant group Hamas which controls the Gaza Strip and Fatah which dominates the West Bank.

Mending the rift is seen as key to creating a unified Palestinian government that can oversee reconstruction in Gaza and long-term peace talks with Israel.

Hamas and Fatah representatives met on Wednesday in advance of Thursday's main talks and agreed to release detainees held by either side.