Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007

Officials from the two biggest Palestinian factions have returned to the Egyptian capital, Cairo, to resume reconciliation talks.

Their dialogue, mediated by the Egyptians, was adjourned two weeks ago after they failed to agree on the shape of a unity government.

Fatah and Hamas, which control the West Bank and Gaza respectively, had hoped to reach agreement by the end of March.

Policy, security and electoral arrangements remain areas of dispute.

Ahmed Qurei, the former Palestinian prime minister, is representing Fatah, while the senior Hamas figure at the talks is Musa Abu-Marzuq, who is based in Damascus.

Egyptian intelligence official Omar Suleyman is acting as mediator.