By Xinhua,
Gaza : An aide to deposed Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haneya Sunday called on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to kick off a long-awaited inter-Palestinian dialogue.
“We call on President Abbas to whistle the beginning of the national dialogue in any Arab capital: Cairo, Damascus or Doha,” said Ahmed Yousef, Haneya’s political advisor.
Voicing Hamas’ readiness for the dialogue, Yousef said the Palestinian people “were in shock” because the dialogue called for by Abbas last month has till now seen no signal of setting the sail.
In June 2007, Hamas took over the Gaza Strip after routing pro-Abbas forces and ousting his Fatah movement. Abbas consolidated his power in the West Bank after losing Gaza, while Hamas continues to rule the coastal enclave.
Yousef, a moderate Hamas member, admitted that “bloodsheds, mistakes and sins were committed” during the fighting and now it was time to start the dialogue.
Earlier in the day, Haneya said his government was ready to engage in any national dialogue without conditions.
Abbas banned any contacts with Hamas until last month when he launched an initiative for dialogue. Hamas welcomed the call but no steps were taken to pave the way for the talks.