Delegates from Palestinian factions in Gaza left the coastal enclave Monday through the Rafah crossing en route to Cairo for meetings ahead of the signing of a reconciliation agreement.

The delegates are expected in Cairo on Monday afternoon, where they will join Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader in exile Khalid Mash'al, who arrived earlier in the week.

Egyptian authorities at the Rafah crossing told Ma'an early Monday that they were prepared to receive and welcome the delegations from Gaza to Egypt.

A security source said 41 political leaders and independent figures would leave the coastal enclave for the signing of the unity agreement in Cairo. The list was sent to the border by the Palestinian Authority, the official said, adding that the delegates' passports were sent to the crossing on Sunday afternoon so their transit would be swift.

According to Egyptian security sources, the signing of the Palestinian reconciliation documents could be followed by Mahmoud Abbas' long-promised visit to Gaza. He would travel to meet Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh via the Rafah crossing, an official said.

Faction leaders confirm delegations en route

Leader of the independent figures Yasser Al-Wadiyeh said delegates from the West Bank and Gaza were en route to the Egyptian capital, calling their departures a "historical moment which requires our intense attention and protection, if we are going to turn the page on division and lead into national unity."

The independent figure added: "The next phase will need a great national effort if it is going to succeed."

Palestinian National Initiative officials said party delegates headed by secretary-general Mustafa Barghouthi were also due to arrive in Cairo on Monday. A statement from the party said supporters in Gaza had gathered at the Rafah crossing in support of the factions heading to sign the unity deal.

Delegates from the Popular Struggle Front said officials had departed from both the West Bank and Gaza to join a delegation headed by party leader and PLO Executive Committee member Ahmad Majdalani.

PSF spokesman Awni Abu Ghosh said the delegation would propose the inclusion of a memo with comments from the party in the package of documents to be signed on Wednesday. Abu Ghosh said the proposal would be made during a meeting with Hamas and Fatah officials in Cairo.

The Palestinian People's Party also dispatched delegates to Cairo. A PPP official told Ma'an that the delegation consisted of the leftist faction's political bureau and was headed by its secretary-general. A spokesman said the party would "make all efforts to assure that the agreement is signed and implemented in a timely fashion."