Special report: Crisis between Israel and Palestine

Special report: Internal situation in Palestine

    JERUSALEM, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Sunday that Israel neither accepts nor rejects the newly-reached Mecca Accord between Hamas and Fatah for a unity government.

    "Israel is studying the details of the agreement," Olmert was quoted by the Jerusalem Post as addressing a cabinet meeting. He reiterated that all of the Quartet's demands, namely accepting the existence of Israel, recognizing previous peace agreements and renouncing violence, should be met.

    Earlier in the day, Israeli officials warned that the Jewish state would cut off its ties with Palestinian National Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas if the three conditions are not met, according to the Ha'aretz daily.

    Political sources indicated that the controversy over the new Palestinian government and whether it would accept the Quartet's demands might overshadow a three-way summit between Olmert, Abbas and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice next Monday.

    Leaders from Fatah and Hamas signed an agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday night on forming a national unity government aimed at ending infighting and lifting international sanctions.

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    Chief negotiator: PNA, U.S. discuss planned three-way summit

    RAMALLAH, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said on Sunday that he had discussed with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice preparations to hold a three-way summit between Israel, the United States and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).

    Erekat made the remarks while speaking to the Voice of Palestine following his visit to the United States where he briefed the Bush administration on the Mecca accord between rival factions of Hamas and Fatah. Full story>>

    Countries welcome Mecca agreement, U.S., Israel cautious

BEIJING, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Most countries have welcomed the Mecca agreement between the two Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas to form a national unity government, but the United States and Israel remained cautious on the deal.

    The agreement, which was reached late on Thursday between Fatah and Hamas in the Saudi holy city of Mecca, is aimed at forming a national unity government to end infighting and lifting international siege. Full story>>