Gaza/Cairo - Leaders of rival Fatah and Islamic Hamas movement failed to overcome their disputes and reach an agreement by a July 7 deadline set by Cairo, and have agreed to hold a seventh round of dialogue in Cairo on July 25, officials said Tuesday.

Fatah negotiator Zakareya el-Agha told the Palestinian news agency Wafa of President Mahmoud Abbas that a sixth round of inter- reconciliation dialogue had ended without agreement.

Senior Fatah leader Nabil Shaath had also confirmed in press statements that the two groups had decided to end their sixth round of dialogue and meet again in Cairo on July 25.

Wafa quoted the two Fatah leaders as saying the next round of dialogue was agreed to be held in Cairo on July 27.

"Then a comprehensive meeting with the participation of all factions' chiefs or their representatives will be held to sign the reconciliation agreement on July 28," said Shaath and al-Agha.

Shaath revealed that Egypt decided to offer the Palestinian dialogue another chance in order to reach its goals, adding: "Therefore Egypt decided to sponsor a seventh round of dialogue on July 25 and will end on July 28."

He stressed that the sixth round of dialogue had been "positive and encouraging", although "we were unable to reach what we wanted."(dpa)