BBC News: Palestinian talks open in Mecca

The leaders met in a room overlooking Islam’s holiest shrine

Leaders of rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have opened crisis talks in the Muslim holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. They hope to re-start negotiations on forming a national unity government and resolve differences that have threatened to ignite civil war.

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said they would stay until agreement was reached and urged international support.

More than 20 people died in clashes between the two sides last week.

“We will not leave this holy place until we have agreed on everything good, with God’s blessing,” Mr Meshaal said.

KEY ISSUES Reported sticking points: Wording of commitment to previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements Post of interior minister Areas of agreement: Principle of forming unity government Haniya to continue as PM Foreign and finance ministries to be headed by independent candidates Press holds breath

The talks on a national unity government began several months ago, but have repeatedly broken down amid factional violence and disagreement over any new administration’s policy towards Israel.

Fatah leader and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met Hamas leaders Mr Meshaal and Ismail Haniya around a table in a palace overlooking the Haram mosque, housing Islam’s most revered shrine, the Kaaba.

“We want to create a unity government and that is everyone’s demand. We want a government that can end the blockade,” Mr Abbas said.

“Recent days have been very black and may God not allow them to return… We don’t want blood spilt.”

Earlier, both groups met King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, who called on them to respond “to the voice of reason”.

Palestinians hope that a coalition administration will end the gun battles in the streets, present a more united front to Israel and encourage the big powers to lift devastating financial sanctions, says the BBC’s Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen.

Western boycott

The biggest sticking points between Fatah and Hamas have been disputes over how to split the top jobs and the issue of recognising Israel, says Jeremy Bowen.

The two sides have been locked in a bitter power struggle since Hamas won legislative elections last year.

Hamas has so far refused to recognise Israel, renounce violence or honour previous agreements – all preconditions to end the Western aid boycott of the Hamas government.

Months of on-and-off talks between Hamas and Fatah have yielded few results.

Clashes between armed supporters of the two groups killed at least 80 people since December.

However, a shaky ceasefire has been holding since Saturday, after the latest round of violence flared last week. (link)