Gaza`s Hamas government says ready to step aside

Gaza City: Gaza`s Hamas government says it has concluded its last meeting and is "ready to hand over full responsibility" to a Palestinian unity government.

Today`s Cabinet statement was the latest sign that rival factions Hamas and Fatah are close to a deal on forming a unity government that is to prepare for elections in 2015. The longstanding conflict between the political opponents peaked in 2007, when the Islamic militant Hamas drove the Fatah movement of Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas out of Gaza, leaving his forces confined to the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Since then, both sides have run separate governments in their respective territories. In April, reconciliation efforts resumed. Negotiations today said they are close to agreement on the new Cabinet lineup. A formal announcement is expected as early as Thursday.