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Haniyeh calls for talks with Abbas’s Fatah faction | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attends Friday prayers at a mosque adjacent to his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, June 22, 2007 (AP)


Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attends Friday prayers at a mosque adjacent to his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, June 22, 2007 (AP)

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attends Friday prayers at a mosque adjacent to his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, June 22, 2007 (AP)

GAZA (Reuters) – Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, prime minister of the Palestinian government dismissed by President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, called for renewed talks on Saturday between the factions, Haniyeh’s office said.

Abbas has ruled out any dialogue with Hamas Islamists, whom he accused of trying to assassinate him and of launching a coup in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas has denied Abbas’s allegations and accused him of participating in a U.S.-led plot against its democratically-elected government.

“The way out of the current situation is launching a Palestinian dialogue without pre-conditions,” Haniyeh told the Yemeni president by phone.

Haniyeh said these talks should be held “on the basis of no loser and no winner, and on the basis of no harm to anyone, and on the basis of a national unity government,” according to Haniyeh’s office.

The United States and Israel wants to isolate Hamas economically, diplomatically and militarily in the Gaza Strip, where the Islamist group seized control just over a week ago.

At the same time, they want to bolster the emergency government set up by Abbas in the Israeli-occupied West Bank after he dismissed the unity cabinet led by Hamas.

Hamas won parliamentary elections 18 months ago but its government was shunned by Israel and Western powers for refusing to renounce violence and recognise Israel.

Deposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh talks to the crowds at a mosque after Friday prayers in Gaza City, June 22, 2007 (AP)

Deposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh talks to the crowds at a mosque after Friday prayers in Gaza City, June 22, 2007 (AP)

Palestinians enjoy the sea on the shores of Gaza City, 22 June 2007 (AFP)

Palestinians enjoy the sea on the shores of Gaza City, 22 June 2007 (AFP)