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Palestinian heads meet Saudi king Palestinian talks open in Mecca
(10 minutes later)
Leaders of the rival Palestinian factions have met separately with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah ahead of crisis talks aimed at ending clashes in Gaza. Leaders of rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have opened crisis talks in the Muslim holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Wednesday's talks in Mecca are seen as a last chance to agree on a government of national unity and avoid civil war. They are hoping to resolve differences that have threatened to ignite civil war and re-start negotiations on forming a national unity government.
Fatah leader and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will meet Hamas's political leader Khaled Meshaal to try to resolve their factions' differences. Earlier, both groups met King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, who called on them to respond "to the voice of reason".
More than 20 people died in clashes between the two sides last week.More than 20 people died in clashes between the two sides last week.
The talks on a national unity government began several months ago, but have repeatedly broken down amid factional violence and disagreement over any new administration's policy towards Israel.
Fatah leader and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met Hamas leaders Khaled Meshaal and Ismail Haniya around a table in a building overlooking the Haram mosque, housing the Kaaba.
Palestinians hope that a coalition administration will end the gun battles in the streets, present a more united front to Israel and encourage the big powers to lift devastating financial sanctions, says the BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen.Palestinians hope that a coalition administration will end the gun battles in the streets, present a more united front to Israel and encourage the big powers to lift devastating financial sanctions, says the BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen.
Western boycottWestern boycott
It is hoped the influence of King Abdullah and the atmosphere of Islam's holiest city will help the two sides reach a deal. The biggest sticking points between Fatah and Hamas have been disputes over how to split the top jobs and the issue of recognising Israel, says Jeremy Bowen.
KEY ISSUES Reported sticking points: Wording of commitment to previous Israeli-Palestinian agreementsPost of interior minister Areas of agreement: Principle of forming unity government Haniya to continue as PM Foreign and finance ministries to be headed by independent candidates KEY ISSUES Reported sticking points: Wording of commitment to previous Israeli-Palestinian agreementsPost of interior minister Areas of agreement: Principle of forming unity government Haniya to continue as PM Foreign and finance ministries to be headed by independent candidates class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6334315.stm">Press holds breath
The biggest sticking points have been disputes over how Fatah and Hamas split the top jobs - and the issue of recognising Israel, says Jeremy Bowen.
The two sides have been locked in a bitter power struggle since Hamas won legislative elections last year.The two sides have been locked in a bitter power struggle since Hamas won legislative elections last year.
Hamas has so far refused to recognise Israel, renounce violence or honour previous agreements - all preconditions to end the Western aid boycott of the Hamas government.Hamas has so far refused to recognise Israel, renounce violence or honour previous agreements - all preconditions to end the Western aid boycott of the Hamas government.
Months of on-and-off talks between Hamas and Fatah have yielded few results.Months of on-and-off talks between Hamas and Fatah have yielded few results.
Clashes between armed supporters of the two groups killed at least 80 people since December.Clashes between armed supporters of the two groups killed at least 80 people since December.
However, a shaky ceasefire has been holding since Saturday, after the latest round of violence flared last week.However, a shaky ceasefire has been holding since Saturday, after the latest round of violence flared last week.
We are going with true intentions to reach a Palestinian-Palestinian agreement that would end tensions and reinforce national unity Ismail HaniyaPalestinian prime minister Press holds breath
Both sides have made encouraging statements ahead of Wednesday's talks in Mecca.
An adviser to Mr Abbas, Nabil Shaath, told French news agency AFP that the "points of differences" between the two sides had lessened.
"Hamas will come into the meeting with new ideas which will perhaps be accepted on a commitment (to respecting) international and Arab accords as well as on the post of interior minister," he said.
Before leaving for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Prime Minister Haniya said "we are going with true intentions to reach a Palestinian-Palestinian agreement that would end tensions and reinforce national unity".
The influence of King Abdullah (r) may help broker a deal
Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said he will meet Mr Abbas and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on 19 February.
The summit was proposed by Ms Rice during her recent visit to the Middle East aimed at reviving peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Saudi Arabia also has its own motives for seeking a solution to the crisis in Gaza, says the BBC's Middle East analyst Roger Hardy.
Saudi leaders are deeply uneasy about the role of Iran in three of the region's main trouble spots - Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine, he says.
Saudi Arabia may have ambitions of filling a leadership vacuum in the Arab world, he says - though whether they are capable of doing so remains to be seen.