A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement denied on Saturday reports of secret talks with rival Hamas movement abroad.
"What was published recently about a big conference for the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and Fatah leaders slated to be held in Damascus is fabricated news," Ahmed Abdel Rahman said in a statement sent to the press.
He accused Hamas, which is not part of the PLO, of calling for this conference "to boost their violent power by showing the people that some sides in this or that country support them."
Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in June and overran forces loyal to President Abbas. As a result, Abbas sacked a Hamas-led government and refused to open any talks with the movement which became confined to the Gaza Strip.
"Any conference not called by President Abbas, the PLO or its executive committee is not a legitimate one and has no value," Abdel Rahman added.
Abbas wants Hamas to end controlling Gaza Strip and leave the security compounds captured during the fighting. Hamas rejects the demands and calls for unconditional dialogue.
Meanwhile, Islamic Hamas movement has denied another report that some of its leaders in the Fatah-dominated West Bank has asked to meet with President Abbas.
"President Abbas is not ready for the dialogue these days because dreams of November conference occupy his mind," the movement said in a statement, referring to a U.S.-hosted peace conference slated for November.
"Fatah will have to return to the dialogue one day because their choice to talk only with the Israeli occupation will embarrass the movement," Hamas statement added.
Source: Xinhua
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