Palestinian unity talks continue in Egypt

Gaza City: Palestinian reconciliation talks start in Cairo on Sunday despite Hamas saying it is likely to be "the most difficult".

"This session will be the most difficult taking account of the inflexibility" witnessed in earlier rounds that blocked progress in the dialogue, said Hamas's Fawzi Barhum.

Egypt is acting as mediator in the talks between Hamas and Fatah. Hamas has said it will not acknowledge existing deals between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

The Middle East Quartet - Russia, the United States, United Nations and European Union - has made dealing with Hamas conditional on it recognising Israel and backing past Palestinian-Israeli accords.