Abbas: We won't leave summit without deal
Hamas, Fatah leaders meet in Mecca in attempt to reach agreement between factions. Mashaal says Palestinians must present united front
Hamas and Fatah are trying to reach an end to the political and security crisis in the Palestinian Authority and to reach a Palestinian unity government. Abbas and Hamas leader Mashaal arrived to the summit in one car, in a Saudi attempt to convey a positive atmosphere. Arab television stations broadcast pictures of the participants smiling at the beginning of the meeting.
The participants have all committed not to leave Mecca without an agreement. Abbas said that the Palestinians wanted to put an end to their differences and to embark on a new journey that would ease the hardships of the Palestinian people. "Our people can be optimistic. We will reach positive agreements," he said.
Mashaal said that both sides were determined not to leave Mecca without an agreement. He believed that the Palestinians must present the international community with a united front. Mashaal and Abbas asked activists from both factions to show restraint and refrain from actions that could dampen the talks.
Haniyeh said that the delegations need to reach an all-inclusive agreement. "We do not want a partial agreement. We want to take back to our people a comprehensive agreement that will touch on all of the issues of this conflict."
"Here, in this holy place, we must remember that the sacred al-Aqsa Mosque that is threatened by Israeli excavations requires us to unite," added Haniyeh.
