LONDON — The two biggest parties in Ireland on Friday overcame decades of enmity to cooperate on the creation of a minority government, ending weeks of deadlock after an inconclusive election in February.

The agreement is the start of a unique experiment in Irish politics under which the governing party, Fine Gael, is expected to lead a minority administration, with the tacit support of its main rival, Fianna Fail.

“Both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have reached a political agreement to facilitate a Fine Gael-led minority government,” both parties said in a statement, the Irish broadcaster RTE reported.

“Both party leaders are now being briefed, extensive drafting has to be done, and then both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will hold separate parliamentary party meetings to outline the details of the confidence and supply arrangement,” the statement added.