Hamas, Fatah agree on dialogue to end tensions
AFP
Date: 05-26-05
GAZA CITY (AFP) - Members of the main governing Fatah party and Islamist group Hamas agreed that dialogue is the only means to defuse growing tensions between their two factions ahead of Palestinian elections.
The talks, mediated by Egypt's deputy intelligence chief Mustafa Al-Bouheiri, aimed to draw a line under a growing dispute over moves to delay parliamentary polls scheduled for July 17.
"We have decided to solve our differences with our brothers from Fatah through dialogue, only through dialogue, and to try therefore to reduce the crisis and the tensions between our two movements," said Hamas official Ismael Hanyeh.
"We are agreed to go to the courts for decisions on disputes over the results of recent municipal elections," he added.
"I confirm that we have decided to resolve all the conflicts between us through discussion and I regret the clashes that followed after contested election results," said Fatah central committee member Abdallah Efranji.
Some officials believe Hamas has partly engineered a recent spike in violence in the Gaza Strip as part of a dispute with Fatah over the elections.
On Wednesday, an aide said Palestinian leader and Fatah stalwart Mahmud Abbas would meet Hamas leaders in Cairo in early June to try to secure agreement on delaying the polls by more than four months.
Growing numbers within Fatah are thought to be in favour of a delay, alarmed by Hamas's impressive showing in recent municipal elections.
The Egyptian delegation has been in Gaza City since Tuesday on a mission to persuade militant factions to abide by a troubled truce agreement.
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