The leaders of Fatah and Hamas, the main Palestinian factions, have signed a deal in Cairo aimed at ending their four-year rift.
Mahmoud Abbas said Palestinians had decided to "turn the dark page of division for ever".
Mr Abbas and Hamas's Khaled Meshaal had not met since the expulsion of Fatah from Gaza in 2007 following the shock Hamas election victory a year earlier.
The recent Arab uprisings have given fresh momentum to reconciliation.
The agreement paves the way for a joint interim government ahead of national elections next year.
The Fatah-led Palestinian Authority runs parts of the West Bank, while Hamas governs Gaza.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13277734
Note: 4 May 2011 Last updated at 12:48 GMT