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Palestinian factions agree to talks
Might as well - they can't hit the broad side of a barn.
A Hamas official in Gaza says the two main Palestinian factions have agreed to restore calm there after a day of violence. Gun battles broke out following a call by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas - a Fatah member - for fresh elections, less than a year into the Hamas Government's term.

Hamas official Ismail Rudwan has told Reuters the groups have now agreed to resume talks on forming a unity government. He says they have also agreed to halt armed displays, return security forces to their headquarters, release men abducted by each side and end a siege of government ministries. A top Fatah official has confirmed an agreement has been reached with Hamas to cease hostilities.

Earlier Hamas gunmen opened fire at a large political rally by the rival Fatah movement in the Gaza Strip, wounding three people. And two mortar shells were fired at guards protecting the residence of Mr Abbas in Gaza, leaving four members of the elite force wounded. The attacks followed moves by Mr Abbas's security forces to seize two ministerial buildings of the Hamas-led Government.

There was also an apparent assassination attempt on the Foreign Minister in the Hamas led-Government, Mahmoud Azahar. Mr Azahar earlier accused Mr Abbas's security men of attempting a "military coup" by overrunning the ministries.
Posted by: Fred 2006-12-18
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=175383