This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6239604.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Hamas is 'ready to talk' to Fatah | Hamas is 'ready to talk' to Fatah |
(30 minutes later) | |
The former Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of Hamas says his group is ready to talk to its Fatah rivals. | The former Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of Hamas says his group is ready to talk to its Fatah rivals. |
He was reacting to a call from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak for a resumption of dialogue between the two Palestinian factions. | He was reacting to a call from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak for a resumption of dialogue between the two Palestinian factions. |
Mr Mubarak was speaking at a summit in Egypt of four Middle Eastern leaders. | Mr Mubarak was speaking at a summit in Egypt of four Middle Eastern leaders. |
Earlier at the summit, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he would ask his cabinet to release 250 jailed member of the Fatah movement. | Earlier at the summit, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he would ask his cabinet to release 250 jailed member of the Fatah movement. |
The meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh brought together Mr Olmert, Mr Abbas, Mr Mubarak and King Abdullah of Jordan. | The meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh brought together Mr Olmert, Mr Abbas, Mr Mubarak and King Abdullah of Jordan. |
The meeting was aimed at boosting Mr Abbas and isolating his rivals, Hamas, after their takeover of Gaza. | The meeting was aimed at boosting Mr Abbas and isolating his rivals, Hamas, after their takeover of Gaza. |
Earlier, the Hamas captors of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit broadcast what they say is his first audio message. | Earlier, the Hamas captors of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit broadcast what they say is his first audio message. |
Cpl Shalit has been held for a year after being seized by militants near the border between Gaza and Israel. | Cpl Shalit has been held for a year after being seized by militants near the border between Gaza and Israel. |
'Opportunity' | 'Opportunity' |
A spokesman for Mr Haniya in Gaza said Hamas was "disposed to immediately take up this dialogue" urged by Mr Mubarak. | A spokesman for Mr Haniya in Gaza said Hamas was "disposed to immediately take up this dialogue" urged by Mr Mubarak. |
Israel has already decided to unfreeze Palestinian funds | Israel has already decided to unfreeze Palestinian funds |
The Egyptian leader called for a "resumption of dialogue between all the children of Palestine, and the achievement of a common position that speaks for its people and its cause". | The Egyptian leader called for a "resumption of dialogue between all the children of Palestine, and the achievement of a common position that speaks for its people and its cause". |
Mr Olmert told the gathering: "As a gesture of goodwill towards the Palestinians, I will bring before the Israeli cabinet a proposal to free 250 Fatah prisoners who do not have blood on their hands." | Mr Olmert told the gathering: "As a gesture of goodwill towards the Palestinians, I will bring before the Israeli cabinet a proposal to free 250 Fatah prisoners who do not have blood on their hands." |
He added that those freed would have to sign a commitment not to return to violence. | |
About 10,000 Palestinian prisoners are being held in Israeli jails, some without charge. | About 10,000 Palestinian prisoners are being held in Israeli jails, some without charge. |
For his part, Mr Abbas urged Israel to "start serious political negotiations, according to an agreed timeframe, with the aim of setting up an independent Palestinian state. | For his part, Mr Abbas urged Israel to "start serious political negotiations, according to an agreed timeframe, with the aim of setting up an independent Palestinian state. |
"My hand is stretched to the Israeli people," he said. | "My hand is stretched to the Israeli people," he said. |
Although Mr Abbas may have received much of the support he was seeking, it may not make any difference on the ground says the BBC's Heba Saleh at the summit. | Although Mr Abbas may have received much of the support he was seeking, it may not make any difference on the ground says the BBC's Heba Saleh at the summit. |
Hamas is still in control of Gaza and that undermines any serious prospect of peace talks, says our correspondent. | Hamas is still in control of Gaza and that undermines any serious prospect of peace talks, says our correspondent. |
Previous version
1
Next version