GAZA/BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Senior Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmad said on Thursday that representatives of his party and rivals Hamas had agreed a set of principles to implement a reconciliation agreement.

The deal is nearly two years old, but has never been enforced as the parties continue to squabble, sustaining a five-year feud.

Al-Ahmad said party officials met in Cairo and agreed an implementation plan. The document stipulates the Central Elections Commission, public freedoms committee and social reconciliation committee will resume work by Jan. 30.

Consultations over forming a joint government will also begin by the same date.

The parties also agreed to stop issuing negative press releases about each other, and to form another committee to oversee implementation of the agreement.

The factional infighting split Palestine into separate governments in 2007. National elections and parliamentary approval of legislation have been on hold ever since.