Palestinian factions declare end to hostilities

GAZA, May 20 (Reuters) Rival Palestinian factions agreed today to end all hostilities, calling an end to about 10 days of intensive fighting in the Gaza Strip, the head of the Egyptian delegation of mediators announced.

The deal between Fatah and Hamas factions cements a ceasefire struck on Saturday that has largely held. ''We have managed by the efforts of all honest people to restore matters to where they were'' before the figting erupted this month, Burhan Hammad, the Egyptian delegation head, said.

Reuters SR DB2329