Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Hamas-led Govt Accepts Saudi Invitation | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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GAZA, (Reuters) – The Hamas-led government said on Sunday it accepted an invitation by Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah for talks in the holy city of Mecca with rival Palestinian faction Fatah.

“We welcome the invitation by His Majesty King Abdullah and the government appreciates this generous position, which comes in an attempt to resolve Palestinian internal differences,” Palestinian Foreign Ministry spokesman Taher An-Nono said.

Azzam al-Ahmad, a senior Fatah official and aide to President Mahmoud Abbas, said Fatah had not yet formally received an invitation and would wait until it arrived before responding.

Twenty-two Palestinians have been killed in three days of fierce clashes in Gaza between Fatah and Hamas gunmen, which followed inconclusive talks in Damascus between Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal a week ago.

Hamas called off talks to form coalition government with Fatah on Friday, the bloodiest day of the recent fighting.