Islamic Hamas movement Thursday said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was ready for dialogue but ruled out his readiness for reconciliation.
Abbas, who is the chief of the secular Fatah movement, Hamas' bitter rival, "may send his deputies for dialogue but he lacks the serious intention for reconciliation," said Mahmoud Zahar, a senior Hamas leader in Gaza.
Egypt works to host the Palestinian factions, specially the feuding Hamas and Fatah groups, to talk in Cairo as part of its efforts to broker a national Palestinian reconciliation to end the political split between the Hamas-controlled Gaza and the West Bank.
But Hamas warns that Abbas may "not obligate himself to the deals," according to Zahar, who referred to previous deals reached between Hamas and Fatah.
In March 2007, Hamas and Fatah signed Mecca protocol for forming a coalition headed by Hamas. But three months later, Hamas fought pro-Abbas forces, routed them and took over control of the Gaza Strip.
Abbas, who consolidated his power in West Bank for fears of a Hamas attempt to take over the occupied territory, withdrew his movement from the coalition and fired the Hamas-led unity government.
Source: Xinhua
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