Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haneya from the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said Tuesday several critical issues will face rival Hamas and Fatah factions in Mecca talks due to kick off later in the day.

Haneya made the remarks before he left the Gaza Strip on his way to Saudi Arabia with a top Hamas delegation to meet rival Fatah led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on forming a national unity government.

"Those issues will be tackled if true intention and strong will were available among the conferees," Haneya said, adding "we wish to reach a deal easing the tension and healing the wounds and boosting partnership to lead the people in their struggle with the occupation."

Nabil Amr, Abbas' media advisor, warned Monday that Mecca talks would be the last minute effort. If they failed, the Palestinian president will meet his previous call for early parliamentary elections.

Meanwhile, Haneya's political advisor Ahmed Yousef told reporters that Hamas will show flexibility during the talks. "We will be flexible regarding the commitments of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), Israel and the International and Arab legitimacy."

"We will also be flexible concerning the important portfolios of the coming national unity government," Youssef said, but reiterated that Hamas will never recognize Israel as the movement considers it a "redline".

Differences between the moderate agenda of the once-dominant Fatah and the program of the governing Hamas have blocked the two movements from reaching a deal to form a collation government.

Western donors have suspended funding the Palestinian National Authority since last March when Hamas took office, making the current Hamas-led government unable to pay for 165,000 public employees.

But Nabil Shaath, one of Fatah leaders, told CNN Arabic website Monday that President Abbas will offer Hamas to form a new government alone if Hamas committed itself to international resolutions.

Source: Xinhua