Talks opened in Cairo on Tuesday between Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and leaders of Palestinian militant factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, during which Abbas will try to persuade them to declare a ceasefire with Israel.

The Leader of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine said the will was there to reach a final and positive result. But General Jibril Rajoub, national security adviser to the Palestinian Authority said the aim of the talks was primarily to achieve Palestinian unity.

"We are searching hard to get our own momentum. Up until now we have not had the chance to be united amongst ourselves, but now we are looking to be united for the future," Rajoub said.

The militant groups have so far agreed to observe an informal truce, as long as Israel halts military strikes, arrest raids and the targeted killings of fugitives.

And Palestinian leaders hope a truce will persuade Israel to leave West Bank towns and free more Palestinian prisoners.

(CRI.com March 16, 2005)