DAMASCUS, Oct.6 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian two major factions Hamas and Fatah will hold 2nd round of reconciliation talks in Damascus on October 20, the Damascus-based Hamas official Ezzat al- Rashaq told Xinhua Wednesday.

"The two movements have agreed to meet again in Damascus to resume discussion over putting an end for the dispute and to tackle the unresolved issue which is the unifying of security bodies," al-Rashaq said.

Damascus-based Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal and senior Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmad, in September held a 3-hour meeting and published an official statement in which they confirmed agreement to start practical steps to put an end to the rift between the two rival movements.

Hamas and Fatah have been engaged in a sour power struggle since the Islamic movement swept its rival secular Fatah in legislative elections in 2006.

Egypt has made several attempts for reconciliation, but the last round of talks ended in October 2009 when Hamas refused to sign an Egyptian document after it was inked by Fatah.