The accord between Palestinian factions reached in Mecca, Saudi Arabia could possibly end factional fighting in Gaza, but whether the deal advances an Israeli-Palestinian peace process remains uncertain, the Washington Post said in an editorial on Saturday.

The immediate aim of the deal between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and leaders of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) is "to end internecine fighting that has killed more than 90 people in the past two months."

"If it achieves that end, the deal between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Islamic Hamas movement will at least prevent the outbreak of another civil war in the Middle East," the article said.

Hamas, which refuses to recognize the existence of Israel, has "nevertheless shifted its position, if only slightly," the article said, noting Khaled Meshal, the Damascus-based hardliner, agreed for the first time to a 'unity' government not controlled by Hamas."

In addition to the possible positive effects, the article also mentioned "another and considerably more uncertain question": Because his main aim was to stop bloodshed among the Palestinians, Mr. Abbas didn't press Hamas to meet the three conditions set by Israel, the United States and other outside powers for a resumption of aid.

"Hamas still hasn't recognized Israel or sworn off violence, and the 'respect' for 'international resolutions' and previous Palestinian-Israeli agreements included in the pact falls short of a commitment to compliance.

"Consequently, a cloud has fallen over the three-way meeting of Mr. Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice planned for Feb. 19," the article said.

Israel, the United States, EU, Canada and other countries have frozen financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority since Hamas took power in March 2006 after sweeping January parliamentary elections.

The mainstream Palestinian factions of Fatah, led by Abbas, and Hamas agreed on Feb. 8, to form a national unity government after Mecca talks under the sponsorship of Saudi King Abdullah Ibn Abdul-Aziz.

The Mecca agreement consists of four major points. The first is a prohibition of shedding the Palestinian blood (ending all kinds of fighting) and the second is to establish a national unity government.

The third and fourth points in the agreement are related to the formation of Palestine Liberation Organization and also manifesting the political partnership among all Palestinian powers and factions.

Source: Xinhua