JERUSALEM (AFP) - Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas has secured a ceasefire deal with the radical Islamist Hamas movement and its smaller rival Islamic Jihad, persuading them to end their campaign of anti-Israeli attacks, Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz said, welcoming the news.
"An agreement on a ceasefire was completed between Abu Mazen (Abbas) and terrorist organisations including Hamas and Islamic Jihad," in talks in the Gaza Strip, Mofaz said on military radio.
"This agreement was sealed in exchange for the future integration, notably of Hamas, in the Palestinian political institutions," Mofaz added, in a reference to the Palestinian Authority.
"The agreement constitutes a positive sign and a success for Abu Mazen, we are pleased with it but must closely follow the way the terrorist organisations conduct themselves on the ground."
Abbas met late Saturday with Hamas leaders. His office put out a statement after the meeting saying the talks had been "positive" and centred on "the return of calm that is in the national interest of Palestinians."
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