Egyptian-sponsored reconciliation talks between Palestinian factions have been delayed to allow for more consultations, Egyptian state news agency MENA said on Wednesday. The talks were to begin in Egypt on Feb. 22. The agency quoted a senior Egyptian official as saying the delay would be for a "brief period".
According to Reuters, Hamas official Taher al-Nono said Egypt delayed the talks because Israel refused to agree to an 18-month truce with the movement. "The Egyptian government has delayed the dialogue session because of the recent intransigent Israeli positions regarding the issue of a period of calm," Nono told Reuters.
