Hamas, Fatah leaders begin talks on national unity government

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-08-2007 09:03

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his Hamas rivals have begun talks in Mecca which they hope will lay the foundations of a National Unity government.

Abbas and officials from Hamas, including Damascus-based leader Khaled Meshaal, and Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh picked Islam's holiest site for their meeting.

Both sides pledge not to leave Saudi Arabia until they have an agreement.

Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian president, said, "We will not leave this holy place without agreement, God willing."

Khaled Meshaal, Damascus-based Hamas leader, said, "I ask God to allow us to succeed. I invite my brothers from both factions to work together. We are one. I ask everyone to hold talks and negotiate on that basis."

The pressure will be on Hamas to compromise.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will meet Abbas and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice soon.

Israel and the US do not want Abbas to agree to a unity government unless Hamas recognises Israel and renounces violence.

The Mecca talks will also discuss whether Hamas will accept the programme of the Palestine Liberation Organization -- another means of achieving recognition of Israel.

Editor:Du Xiaodan