Hamas updates Abbas on coalition talks

Talks between Fatah and Hamas over closing ranks in a bid to form a national unity government ended fruitlessly on Thursday, Palestinian sources said.

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas’ prime minister designate Ismail Haniyeh also discussed the approval of a Hamas parliamentary motion calling for the cancellation of all laws passed on the last day of the former Palestinian parliament before Hamas dominated the assembly after its sweeping victory in elections.

The parliament cancelled a number of laws giving Abbas extra powers, including the appointment of constitutional judges who could cancel laws passed by parliament.

Haniyeh refuted allegations that the meeting was tense and played down the showdown between the two rivals in parliament. The designated prime minister said he expects Fatah to join Hamas in a unity government soon.

Haniyeh updated Abbas on Hamas’ coalition talks with other factions and said: “We will keep the president updated with the government’s political plans, the factions that will join and the ministers who will form the government. The aim is to coordination between the presidency and the government.”

'Hamas appreciates Saudi position'

In previous coalition talks, the parties were at loggerheads over Hamas’ refusal of a Fatah request that it recognizes all agreements signed between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization. Hamas used the meetings to forward its agenda of reforms with Palestinian Authority institutions.

Hamas leaders will begin a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia on Friday to seek aid from the oil-rich kingdom for a Palestinian government headed by the Islamic militant group.

Mohammad Nazzal, a Hamas leader in exile, told Reuters by telephone from Egypt the delegation would be led by Hamas's top leader, Khaled Meshaal, and meet Saudi King Abdullah.

It will be the first official visit by a Hamas delegation to the kingdom since 1998.

"Hamas appreciates the Saudi position that always supported the Palestinian people," Nazzal said. "We will seek the continuation of political and financial support from our brothers in Saudi Arabia."

Reuters contributed to this report