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Palestinian faction heads to meet Key Palestinian meeting postponed
(about 4 hours later)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is to hold talks on Saturday in Damascus with the political leader of rival Palestinian faction Hamas. Planned talks between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the political head of rival Palestinian faction Hamas have been postponed.
Mr Abbas has not met Khaled Meshaal, who lives in exile in Damascus, in person since 2005. The talks were due to take place in Damascus, Syria, where Khaled Meshaal of Hamas lives in exile.
Hamas and Mr Abbas's Fatah faction have been in dispute since Hamas won polls a year ago. They have been trying to agree a unity government for months.Hamas and Mr Abbas's Fatah faction have been in dispute since Hamas won polls a year ago. They have been trying to agree a unity government for months.
Hamas said the meeting may be held on Sunday if "difficulties" are resolved.
Mr Abbas has already held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.Mr Abbas has already held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Key ministries Vital ministries
The BBC's Rachel Harvey in Damascus says that although the situation between Hamas and Fatah has been quieter in recent days, both sides know they need to reach some sort of sustainable deal soon. A member of the Hamas faction told Associated Press news agency: "There will be no meeting today. There are difficulties facing such a meeting and there are current mediations to try and resolve the problems."
The talks are likely to focus on who would control which ministries and what kind of policies a unity government might pursue, particularly in relation to Israel. The BBC's Rachel Harvey in Damascus says the postponement comes because both sides know if the talks are held, it is important a result is achieved.
The talks would probably focus on who would control which ministries and what kind of policies a unity government might pursue, particularly in relation to Israel.
Fatah advocates negotiations to found a state alongside Israel, while Hamas refuses to recognise Israel's right to exist.Fatah advocates negotiations to found a state alongside Israel, while Hamas refuses to recognise Israel's right to exist.
Mr Abbas threatened in mid-December to hold fresh elections if a deal could not be reached. Hamas said that was tantamount to a coup.Mr Abbas threatened in mid-December to hold fresh elections if a deal could not be reached. Hamas said that was tantamount to a coup.
More than 30 Palestinians have been killed in factional violence since then.More than 30 Palestinians have been killed in factional violence since then.
Hamas politburo member Izzat al-Rishq told Reuters news agency: "We are hoping [the talks] tonight will result in solving the issue of the final language of the manifesto and those in charge of three key ministries (interior, finance and foreign affairs). Hamas politburo member Izzat al-Rishq earlier told Reuters news agency the talks would try to solve "the issue of the final language of the manifesto and those in charge of three key ministries (interior, finance and foreign affairs).
"This is not a last chance meeting. Both sides are aware that prolonging crisis and confrontation only serves Israel.""This is not a last chance meeting. Both sides are aware that prolonging crisis and confrontation only serves Israel."
Mr Abbas's talks with President Assad were described as "frank" and "amicable".Mr Abbas's talks with President Assad were described as "frank" and "amicable".
Palestinian legislator Nabil Amr said Mr Assad expressed willingness to back all "efforts aimed at achieving Palestinian unity".Palestinian legislator Nabil Amr said Mr Assad expressed willingness to back all "efforts aimed at achieving Palestinian unity".