Gaza - A senior Fatah movement official on Saturday welcomed the acceptance by the Islamic movement Hamas of Egypt's plan for inter-Palestinian reconciliation that would end the current political split.

"The Egyptians have officially informed me personally that Hamas accepted their plan. This news pleased me and pleased President Mahmoud Abbas," said Nabil Shaath, head of Fatah delegation to the dialogue with Hamas in Cairo.

Egypt has been holding a series of separate bilateral talks with representatives of 13 Palestinian factions, including rival Hamas and Fatah. It has come up with a plan for reconciliation, which was a summary of all the factions' views.

"Accepting the Egyptian plan by all factions, including Fatah and Hamas is a step forward towards ending the current political split between Gaza and the West Bank," Shaath, who is currently in Cairo, told Voice of Palestine Radio.

The Islamic movement took control of the Gaza Strip after routing Abbas security forces there last summer. The Palestinian Authority leadership remains in the West Bank.

Hamas movement official Mahmoud al-Zahar, member of Hamas delegation to the dialogue in Cairo, had earlier said that Egypt was intending to invite leaders of the two rival movements for trilateral dialogue to discuss the Egyptian plan.

The Egyptian plan calls for the formation of a national accordance government, the reform of the security apparatuses, preparations for early presidential and legislative elections as well as the reform of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). (dpa)