Palestinian factions sign pact of honor in Cairo

CAIRO – 16 March 2021: On the first day of the National Palestinian Dialogue hosted in Cairo, Palestinian factions signed Tuesday a pact of honor that affirms their keenness on pursuing the electoral process in all its phases while exercising transparency and integrity in a way that fulfills national unity and public interest.

The convention will resume Wednesday for the factions to confer over the Palestinian democratic pathway.

Earlier on Tuesday, Egypt’s President Abdel Fatah al Sisi expressed his wishes for the Palestinian factions and leaders meeting in Cairo to achieve their desired goals of the dialogue.

The second round of the Palestinian National dialogue which kicked off, Tuesday comes per an Egyptian invitation for fifteen different political Palestinian factions along with the Palestinian National Authority and the central election commission, to put aside the long-lasted political division and meet again in a second round in Cairo to prepare for upcoming general and presidential historical elections expected in May.

Egypt asserts keenness on helping Palestinians to overcome obstacles that could affect conducting the elections.

The first round of the National Dialogue held in Cairo last February and lasted for two days.

In their final statement, the factions agreed on holding general elections, followed with another presidential elections, in accordance with the presidential decree issued on January 15, 2012.

They set another date for a second round of meetings in March to agree on bases and mechanisms needed to complete forming the new National Council with the aim of developing the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

The factions affirmed in their statement that they would adhere to the timetable set by January 2012 decree, emphasizing that the elections will be held in Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip without exception

All factions will be committed to respect the elections final results.

The final statement also affirmed supporting the central elections and working to overcome any potential obstacles.