Palestinian rivals hold unity talks in Qatar

February 05, 2012 07:27 pm | Updated December 04, 2021 11:42 pm IST - DOHA

File photo shows Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas with Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal.

File photo shows Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas with Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal.

An aide to the Palestinian President says talks are underway between him and the head of rival Hamas over efforts to move along a reconciliation pact.

Azzam al-Ahmed, an aide to the Palestinian President, told reporters in Qatar’s capital Doha that Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah and Khaled Mashaal, leader of the Islamist Hamas, had “positive” discussions but gave no further details.

Both sides have endorsed an accord to end more than four years of separate governments in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and the West Bank, which is ruled by Mr. Abbas’ Western-backed Palestinian Authority.

Main issues include forming a transitional unity government and setting the date for elections.

It’s unclear whether any decisions are expected in Qatar. Mr. al-Ahmed said further talks were set for later Sunday.

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