A spokesman for Hamas has said that the results of the meeting of the Islamic Resistance Movement's Political Bureau, held in Cairo this week, "are a testament to the strength and cohesion of the group".

In a press statement, Sami Abu Zuhri explained that the "positive atmosphere and the outcomes are evidence of the unity and cohesion within Hamas, and a powerful message to its members, supporters and the Palestinian nation, as well as its opponents."

According to Zuhri, the meeting also illustrated Hamas's "strength and effectiveness as an institution". The utmost respect, he said, was shown by everybody for the decisions taken. "Differences of opinion are natural in all organisations," he said, "but everyone respects and is committed to the final decisions which were made."

The political bureau agreed on the need for "strict and honest implementation" of the Palestinian reconciliation agreement  reached in Cairo and Doha.

Hamas leaders from home and abroad took part in the political bureau meeting in the Egyptian capital and on the sidelines of the PLO-led framework meeting a day later.