Fatah calls on Hamas for unconditioned dialogue

RAMALLAH, Feb. 7 -- A senior official of pro-west President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement called on its rival Islamic Hamas movement Saturday for an unconditioned dialogue and inter-reconciliation.

Ahmed Abdel Rahman, Fatah spokesman in the West Bank said in a written statement that "Fatah movement and other factions call on Hamas movement to abandon political split and accept an unconditioned comprehensive dialogue."

"As we welcome an Egyptian-sponsored national comprehensive dialogue, without any preconditions to regain our unity and end the internal division, we stress on our people's right of resistance to liberate their occupied lands," he said.

Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip by force in June, 2007 following weeks of heavy fighting with Abbas security forces. The movement routed Abbas security forces and racked down on his Fatah movement's leaders.

In response, Abbas deposed a national unity government headed by Hamas in response to Gaza takeover. However, Hamas rejected Abbas' decree and reinforced its grip on the enclave.

Since then, the two parties had failed to meet on one table and resume a comprehensive dialogue that ends the current division between Gaza and the West Bank.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinians demonstrated in Ramallah on Saturday in support for Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) chaired by Abbas. The protestors chanted slogans against exiled Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal.

Mashaal had earlier announced that he intends to call for forming a new political body, which was interpreted as an alternative to PLO, and join all non-PLO members "who support armed resistance against Israel."

The PLO had reached a series of interim peace agreements with Israel, and agreed to solve the conflict through peace talks sponsored by the international Quartet and the United States.