Special report: Internal situation in
Palestine
RAMALLAH, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Mohammed Dahlan, a senior member of
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party on Sunday denied reports that
he signaled willingness to talk with rival Hamas movement.
The Fatah strongman told media that he is committed to the decisions by
Abbas and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), which vowed not to open
any dialogue with Hamas until it ends its control of the Gaza Strip.
Hamas routed Fatah and pro-Abbas forces during rounds of fighting that
ended on June 14. Most of Fatah leaders fled to the West Bank where Abbas
appointed a new government after sacked the former Hamas-led unity government.
On Sunday, a pro-Hamas daily based in Gaza reported that Dahlan had started
to "seek Hamas' love by sending messages saying he is ready for talks."
"Releasing such reports aim at limiting the problem as a difference between
Dahlan and Hamas, while it is clear that the current situation was a way by
Hamas on all parts of the national work," Dahlan stressed.
Abbas refuses to talk with Hamas unless it steps back and makes an apology
for taking over Gaza by force. He also wants Hamas to recognize the PLO
legitimacy.
