Abbas expresses summit optimism, wants conditioned dialogue with Hamas

Sunday November 04, 2007 18:30 by Rami Almeghari - IMEMC

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday stated that the Palestinian people are in a race against time as the Annapolis summit nears, adding that he hoped for a conditioned dialogue with the Hamas movement.

President Abbas, left, PM Haniya, right/ photo by Ma'an News Agency

Abbas voiced the hope that the Palestinian team, headed by Chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmad Qurei, would deliver a set of concrete and lasting solutions.

Abbas also voiced willingness to enter into a conditioned dialogue with the Hamas movement, arguing that, despite the so-called 'coup' in Gaza, the organization remained a part of the Palestinian people

Abbas' speech came as deposed Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh blamed, in a televised speech, Palestinian parties for contributing to the ongoing Israeli siege in Gaza.

Washington is set to host a conference on Middle East peace in Annapolis, Maryland in the United States , late this month, in a bid to revive a seven-year-long stalled Palestinian-Israeli peace.

ramallah | palestinian politics | news report rami at imemc dot org