Palestinians close divisions in a ceremony in Cairo

But the agreement creates the potential diplomatic problems for the Palestinian Authority led by Abbas and dependent on foreign aid. Much of the West rejects Hamas because of its refusal to recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept existing interim Israeli-Palestinian peace.

CAIRO- Palestinian leaders formally ended on Wednesday in a ceremony at Egypt, A four-year division between the secular Fatah and Islamist Hamas, in a reconciliation they consider crucial to their efforts by creating an independent Palestinian state.
Israel, Who in 1967 captured the territories where Palestinians want to establish their state - the West Bank and Gaza Strip - has criticized the deal, saying it strikes a blow against the prospects for peace in the region.
"We announce to the Palestinians that we are always turning to the black page of the division, said in his opening speech to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Fatah's leader.
The Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visiting London, said: "What happened in Cairo today represents a tremendous blow against peace and a great victory for terrorism."
Hamas, whose founding charter calls for the destruction of Israel took the Gaza Strip from Fatah forces in 2007, a brief civil war in Palestine. The group opposes the quest undertaken by Abbas for a negotiated peace with Israel.
In what appeared to be a sign of friction still remains the leader of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal, not shared the podium with Abbas, and the show suffered a slight delay while it was decided where he would sit. Contrary to expectations, neither has signed the document of marriage.
Hamas leaders will meet with Abbas next week, possibly in Cairo to begin work to implement the agreement, said the deputy leader of Hamas, Moussa Abu Marzouk, after the ceremony.
In his speech at the ceremony, Mr Meshaal said Hamas wants a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip has not Israeli settlers and without "giving up even one inch of land", or the right of return for Palestinian refugees.
Israel withdrew soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005 but continues to build in Jewish settlements in the West Bank, a territory much larger than the Gaza Strip.
Hamas has said in the past that he would accept an interim solution as a state established on all territories captured by Israel in the 1967 war in the Middle East, in addition to a cease-fire term.
"STATE OF PALESTINE"
The merger agreement provides for the formation of an interim government to administer the West Bank where Abbas has his base, and the Gaza Strip and prepare for parliamentary and presidential elections, already delayed in up to one year.
In his speech, Abbas reiterated his call for suspension of construction in Jewish settlements as a precondition for the resumption of peace talks with Israel that began in September, but was stopped in a matter of weeks after Israel refused to extend a limited moratorium settlement activity.
"The State of Palestine needs to be born this year," said Abbas.
In the absence of peace talks, the expectation is that Abbas large part in the September UN General Assembly to recognize a Palestinian state in all the West Bank and Gaza Gaza. Israel and the United States oppose such unilateral action.
Palestinians see a reconciliation between them as the essential step to present a common front before the United Nations, and reflecting a deep desire to close the public infighting amid the riots that have swept the Arab world.