Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have agreed to form a unified Palestinian government for the West Bank and Gaza headed by Palestinian President and Fatah chief Mahmoud Abbas.
Mr Abbas and Khaled Meshaal, head of Hamas, said that they were serious about implementing the accord almost a year after the two sides signed a reconciliation deal that languished for months and was reaffirmed only in November.
Mr Meshaal said: "We are serious, both Fatah and Hamas, in healing the wounds and ending the chapter of division and reinforcing and accomplishing reconciliation."
He said the Palestinians wanted to accomplish unity and move forward "to resist the enemy (Israel) and achieve our national goals".
Mr Abbas, head of the secular Fatah organisation, promised that "this effort will be implemented in the shortest time possible".
Fatah and Hamas have been bitter rivals since the Islamist movement seized control of Gaza in 2007 after a brief war and kicked out Mr Abbas's Fatah-led Palestinian Authority.
The deal provided for a government of independent technocrats to oversee preparations for elections later this year.
A vote had been mooted in May but the Palestinian election commission says more time will be needed.
The last presidential and parliamentary elections were held in 2006. Hamas won the parliamentary vote.
