Egyptian sponsored talks between Fatah and Hamas are to resume Monday in Cairo, where the delegations will be headed by Fatah Central Committee member Azzam Al-Ahmad and Hamas deputy politburo chief Moussa Abu Marzouk.

The talks are being held to lay down mechanisms for reconciliation immediately, especially in forming a government of independent technocrats.

A high ranking Egyptian official said on condition of anonymity that Egypt wants to use the momentum experienced following the signing of the national reconciliation agreement on 4 May to find a method for dealing with the various aspects that were agreed upon, most important of which is forming a transitional government.

The official added that the delegations will arrive in Cairo Sunday and start intensive talks Monday, mentioning that both Hamas and Fatah have a right to choose nominees for the premiership while the final choice will depend on agreement. No candidate will be imposed on the other party.

Egypt is to help the newly united factions reach this agreement.

The official explained that in the event agreement is reached on suggested names for a government, Fatah and Hamas would meet with the other factions in the West Bank and Gaza in order to ratify the formation of the government and move on to other issues.

The official said that according to the terms of the Egyptian-sponsored agreement signed 4 May, an Arab committee led by Egypt will supervise the agreement on the ground and will work on merging state institutions in the West Bank and Gaza.

The committee will visit Gaza soon to implement the agreement in practical terms.