Hamas - deal reached with Fatah to stop fighting

GAZA, Dec 17 (Reuters) Palestinian rivals Hamas and Fatah reached a deal today to stop fighting after a day of bloodshed in which President Mahmoud Abbas's offices came under mortar fire and his forces took over two ministries, Hamas said.

Hamas official Ismail Rudwan told Reuters the groups had agreed to resume talks on forming a unity government, halt armed displays, return security forces to their headquarters, release men abducted by each side and end a siege of government ministries.

Fatah leaders were not immediately available to comment and gunfire could still be heard near Abbas's offices in Gaza City, witnesses said.

Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar, a senior Hamas leader, had earlier accused Abbas's security men of attempting a ''military coup'' by overrunning the ministries. Zahar demanded they leave or else be arrested, a move that could provoke further violence.

Forces loyal to Hamas and Abbas's Fatah had fought street and rooftop gun battles across Gaza through the day. A senior paramilitary commander loyal to Abbas was found dead after being abducted. Residents said it was the heaviest bout of internal fighting in living memory.

The unrest followed Abbas's call yesterday for fresh presidential and parliamentary elections, a dramatic move that sought to lift crippling Western sanctions imposed on the 9-month-old Hamas government.

''What is happening is a real military coup, assassinations, attempted assassinations, the occupation of headquarters and ministries,'' a visibly angry Zahar told a news conference.

REUTERS PDS BST0235