Hamas and Fatah delay talks on dialogue plan

Talks on the plan, drafted by Palestinian leaders jailed in Israel, had been expected to begin on Saturday, but Hamas spokesman Sami Abu-Zuhri said the leaders were still discussing a venue.

He said the meeting had not begun because "formation of the (negotiating) committee has not been finalized yet."

"Some factions want the dialogue to be held in Gaza because their representatives are there," Abu-Zuhri added.

The plan implicitly recognizes Israel. Hamas's charter calls for the Jewish state's destruction and the group has rejected calls by Abbas and Western powers to soften its position.

Abu-Zuhri said Hamas disagreed with a deadline set this week by Abbas for Hamas to accept the plan or face a national referendum in 40 days.

"There is no need for the 10-day idea. As long as we are talking about dialogue, there shouldn't be any dates set," Abu-Zuhri said.

Yasser Abed Rabbo, a senior official close to Abbas, said the Palestinian president would invite Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas and other top officials to discuss the plan on Sunday.

Responding to Hamas, Abed Rabbo said: "The law is like a knife with two sharp edges. Abbas has the legal right to fire the government" if Hamas rejects his plan.

Another threat of renewed tensions emerged in Gaza on Saturday as several dozen members of a Hamas-led force were redeployed on several streets, a day after the 3,000-strong militia had been removed after calls by Abbas to disband it.

Youssef al-Zahar, a leader of the Hamas force, said the group had staged a "limited deployment" after Palestinian citizens complained to them about having removed the troops.

(Additional reporting by Wafa Amr in Ramallah)

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