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Negotiating with Islamists: Abbas
Photo: AFP
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Abbas meets terror chiefs in Syria
Palestinian leader begins talks with Islamist leaders, hoping to pacify them before Gaza withdrawal
By Associated Press
DAMASCUS - Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas began talks here Wednesday with Palestinian Islamist leaders, hoping to pacify terrorist groups before Israel's planned withdrawal from Gaza.
"Hamas and all Palestinian factions have to participate in the elections," Abbas said in a statement upon arriving. "I wish to hear the official answer from Hamas as the date of Israeli withdrawal from Gaza is looming.”
Palestinian leader begins talks with Islamist leaders, hoping to pacify them before Gaza withdrawal
By Associated Press
DAMASCUS - Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas began talks here Wednesday with Palestinian Islamist leaders, hoping to pacify terrorist groups before Israel's planned withdrawal from Gaza.
Abbas was expected to meet Syrian President Bashar Assad on Thursday, and had also scheduled talks with leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa, who welcomed Abbas at the airport, said Abbas' talks with Assad "will benefit the Palestinian cause and will also concentrate on a comprehensive and fair peace" in the Middle East.
Shortly after arriving here for a two-day visit, Abbas met with Ahmed Jibril, leader of the Syrian-backed Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command.
Pinning hopes on Islamists
Abbas is hoping to persuade Hamas and Islamic Jihad to participate in Palestinian elections and refrain from carrying out operations against Israel before its promised withdrawal from Gaza in about six weeks.
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