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Palestinian talks get under way Key Palestinian talks under way
(10 minutes later)
Delayed talks between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas's political leader Khaled Meshaal are under way, officials say. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is holding talks in Syria with the exiled political leader of Hamas to try to end a violent power struggle.
After two days of deadlock, the two men were holding talks in the Syrian capital Damascus, aides said. It follows months of sporadic fighting between followers of Mr Abbas's Fatah party and supporters of the Hamas-led government in the Gaza Strip.
Earlier, a senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk had said the possibility of talks was "non-existent". Mr Abbas has said he will call new elections if Hamas does not agree to form a government of national unity.
The two sides are locked in a violent dispute over control of the security forces and relations with Israel. It is the first time Mr Abbas and Khaled Meshaal have met since 2005.
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. After two days of deadlock and delays, the two men met in the Syrian capital, Damascus, where Mr Meshaal lives, on Sunday night.
Hamas roundly defeated Fatah in parliamentary elections a year ago, but their victory prompted an international aid boycott which has crippled the Palestinian economy.
The two groups have been trying for months to agree a unity government.
The BBC's Rachel Harvey in Damascus says although progress has been made on the composition of such a government, sources say there are still profound differences over what its attitude to Israel should be.
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.
"Our message is forbidding infighting, stopping instigation and the formation of a national unity government," said key Abbas aide Saeb Erekat. Our correspondent says it may not be possible to bridge the gap in this one meeting.
But she adds the two men appear to have been persuaded that for Mr Abbas to leave Syria without them talking at all would have sent a dangerously negative message to the Palestinian people and the wider world.
Election threatElection threat
Mr Abbas last month threatened to call fresh elections if a deal could not be reached. Hamas said that was tantamount to a coup.Mr Abbas last month threatened to call 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 Mr Abbas's spokesman Nabil Amir described as "frank" and "amicable".
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 which has crippled the Palestinian economy.