By Xinhua
Gaza : Hamas and Fatah still far from resuming talks because Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ movement decided to stay away, a Hamas official said on Sunday. On Saturday, a Hamas official met with Abbas in West Bank city of Ramallah for discussions after a Hamas prisoner, held by pro-Abbas forces, reportedly died of torture.
“The meetings don’t indicate an imminent resumption of talks because the government in Ramallah took a clear stance to stay away from such dialogue,” said Khalil Abu Laila, chief of Hamas’ foreign relations.
Pro-Abbas forces launched a crackdown on Hamas in West Bank since last June when the Islamic movement violently seized control of Gaza Strip and routed Abbas’ Fatah movement.
Meanwhile, Qadoura Fares, a Fatah leader, said he welcomes any meetings or initiatives that aim at bridging the gaps between his movement and rival Hamas.
Also on Sunday, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) called on Hamas and Fatah movement to end their differences and start national dialogue.
Hamas has expressed intentions of holding dialogue with Fatah without any preconditions while Abbas insists the Islamic movement end its control on the strip before any dialogue starts.