US criticism of Palestinian reconciliation pact shadows Middle East peace talks

The Egyptian-drafted inter- reconciliation agreement, which was signed in Cairo on May 4 between Fatah and the Islamic Hamas movement, is facing difficulties following U.S. President Barack Obama's criticism of the agreement.

Obama, who demanded Hamas to accept the requirements of the International Quartet Committee for peace in the Middle East, said in a speech on Monday that the deal between Abbas and Hamas "is a big obstacle for achieving peace."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his speech before the U.S. Congress on Tuesday, also called on Abbas to halt the reconciliation agreement if he really wants to reach a permanent peace agreement with Israel.

According to the agreement sponsored by Egypt, the two sides agreed to end around four years of division between Gaza and the West Bank, and form a national unity government to pave way for general elections within one year.

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