By Xinhua
Gaza : The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) welcomed on Monday Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' first signal for talks with Hamas since it seized control of the Gaza Strip last month.
Abbas, who dismissed the Hamas-led coalition government, announced from Moscow his readiness to deal with any mediation, whether Arab or international, to settle differences between Hamas and his Fatah movement.
"President Abbas' statement is positive and we are with any effort to settle the things," Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha told reporters in Gaza.
When Abbas sacked the Hamas-led coalition following the seizure of the Gaza Strip, he rejected to resume dialogue and formed his own government, leaving Hamas confined to the sealed off Gaza.
"We call on Abbas to start serious talks after paving the way for them," said Taha, urging Abbas to stop his forces from cracking down on Hamas members in the West Bank.