DOHA, February 6, 2012 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal agreed in the Qatari capital Doha that Abbas will head the new national unity government and to proceed with plans to hold presidential and legislative elections in the Palestinian Territory.

A statement issued in Doha and read by Qatar’s Prime Minister Hamad bin Jasem Al Thani said that the two sides have agreed “to form the Palestinian government of national agreement composed of qualified independents and headed by the President, whose mission will be to prepare for presidential and legislative elections and to start Gaza reconstruction.”

They also agreed to continue with steps to activate and expand the PLO through restructuring the Palestinian National Council, calling on the Central Elections Commission to start preparing for presidential and legislative elections in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.

The two sides also agreed to hold the second meeting on the PLO restructuring in Cairo on February 18.

Abbas and Meshaal thanked Qatar for its efforts to bring an end to the Palestinian division.

“We did not sign this agreement for the sake of signing it or for the media, rather to implement it, whether it had to do with the elections or the government,” said Abbas after the signing ceremony.

He said that the reconciliation is a vital Palestinian and Arab interest.

Meshaal stressed that “we are very serious in ending the division and strengthen reconciliation on the ground.”

Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalife Al Thani, said the agreement shows determination to reunite the Palestinian people.

“We believe that the brothers have no choice other than to proceed with efforts to achieve their unity and they will find us and the Arab nation standing with them to regain all the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people,” he said.

M.S./F.R.