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Abbas and Meshaal 'will not meet' Palestinian talks 'can go ahead'
(about 2 hours later)
Talks between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal will not take place, a Hamas official says. Delayed talks between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas's political leader Khaled Meshaal will now go ahead, an official says.
Talks due on Saturday in Damascus were postponed at the last minute. After two days of deadlock top official Saeb Ereket announced the two men were to meet on Sunday evening in Damascus.
They were rescheduled for Sunday, but now senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk says the possibility of talks at this stage is "non-existent". Earlier a senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk said the possibility of talks was "non-existent".
The two sides are locked in a violent dispute over control of the security forces and relations with Israel.The two sides are locked in a violent dispute over control of the security forces and relations with Israel.
Hamas, which won Palestinian elections a year ago and control the cabinet, and Fatah have tried but failed to agree a unity government for months. Hamas, which won Palestinian elections a year ago and control the cabinet, and Fatah, headed by Mr Abbas, have tried but failed to agree a unity government for months.
There are a lot of common issues that we must to talk about with our brothers here Mahmoud AbbasPalestinian Authority president
Fatah advocates negotiations with the Israelis on a future Palestinian state, while Hamas refuses to recognise Israel's right to exist.Fatah advocates negotiations with the Israelis on a future Palestinian state, while Hamas refuses to recognise Israel's right to exist.
"There are a lot of common issues that we must talk about with our brothers here," Mr Abbas had said earlier.
"Palestinian factions are here and certainly anyone who wants to meet us is welcomed. Why not, there is nothing stopping us."
But Hamas' Mr Marzouk said that despite the group's "flexibility", what he called "external factors" had caused the crisis.
Election threatElection threat
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.
Mr Abbas has already held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad which were described as "frank" and "amicable".Mr Abbas has already held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad which were described as "frank" and "amicable".
Mr Meshaal is the political head of Hamas and lives in exile in Damascus.Mr Meshaal is the political head of Hamas and lives in exile in Damascus.
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".
Hamas's election victory prompted an international aid boycott last year, which has crippled the Palestinian economy.Hamas's election victory prompted an international aid boycott last year, which has crippled the Palestinian economy.