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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Fatah rules out meeting between Abbas, Hamas' Mashaal |
| 2008-06-24 |
| (Xinhua) -- A spokesman for Fatah on Monday ruled out that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas may meet Hamas chief when he visits Syrian capital Damascus. "President Abbas will visit Syria to meet President Bashar al-Assad to discuss situation in the region and the Arab-Israeli conflict," said Ahmed Abdel Rahman, spokesman for Fatah movement. As for a possible meeting between Abbas and the Damascus-based Hamas political chief Khaled Mashaal, Abdel Rahman said "it was too early to predict such a meeting because it is subject to a stance by Hamas proving they support the legitimacy and unity at home." In June last year, Hamas routed pro-Abbas forces, ousted Fatah movement and took control of Gaza Strip in a deadly fighting. Since then, Abbas fired a Hamas-led government and formed a western-backed administration ruling from West Bank. Hamas neglected Abbas' decision and continued to rule Gaza. "The irregular situation in Gaza Strip must end and then President Abbas can return to Gaza," Abdel Rahman added, calling on Hamas to respond to a new initiative that Abbas launched for dialogue with Hamas. |
| Posted by:Fred |