Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held a phone conversation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday night, urging Palestinian factions to comply with an Egyptian-sponsored ceasefire, the official news agency MENA reported.

Phone talks between Mubarak and Abbas came several hours after warring Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah, reached a ceasefire deal thanks to Egyptian mediation.

"Mubarak called on both Fatah and Hamas movements to act in compliance with the ceasefire that was reached by the two parties, " said MENA.

Besides, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit made a similar appeal after the truce was reached. "We hope that the Palestinians will respect the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire," he said.

Abul Gheit called on the Israeli side not to attack the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip "because this would increase tension between Palestinians."

He also called on Palestinian militants to stop firing rocket against Israel.

The ceasefire deal between Fatah and Hamas calls for removing checkpoints and roadblocks from Gaza City streets by 15:00 local time (12:00 GMT), displacing snipers and gunmen from high buildings an hour later after the two sides exchange hostages, said Fatah spokesman Abdel Hakim Awad.

Burhan Hamad, the chief of the Gaza-based Egyptian security team, participated in the meeting that was held at the Egyptian embassy in Gaza City. The two factions will exchange their hostages at the same place.

Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haneya of Hamas sent a message to the conferees urging them to abide by the agreements and to maintain the fourth deal.

The three previous deals during the nine-day-old fighting have failed to last more than a few minutes. Hamas and Fatah officials will remain on session to secure full implementation of the latest ceasefire.

Members loyal to rival Hamas and Fatah have engaged in deadly infighting during the last six days, leaving up to some 50 Palestinians dead.

Source: Xinhua