By ANTARA News/AFP
Moscow : Russia on Monday hailed the agreement cinched by the moderate Palestinian Fatah party and the Islamist movement Hamas.
“Moscow considers this confirmation of the Fatah`s and Hamas`s will for restoring Palestinian unity as an important event meriting support,” the Russian foreign ministry said.
“A lot of effort is still needed to restore accord and bring the situation back to when the national government would work on the basis of the accords reached in Mecca. We are certain that in this case the Palestinians will reach their national dreams, including a right to a sovereign state,” the ministry added.
Abbas`s secular Fatah party and the Islamist movement penned a deal in Yemen Sunday to open their first direct talks since Hamas drove pro-presidential forces from the Gaza Strip in June.
However, hours after they signed their agreement in Yemen, the two bitter rivals were at odds as to the meaning of the agreement, with Hamas referring to it as a “framework for dialogue” and Fatah calling for its immediate implementation.
The United States, Israel, and the European Union have all refused to have any dealings with Hamas unless it recognises Israel`s existence, renounces violence, and accepts past agreements with the Jewish state.
Since Hamas`s June takeover, the two factions have had no direct contacts, with Abbas having repeatedly said he will not negotiate with Hamas unless it first returns Gaza to his control, a precondition Hamas has always rejected.