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Palestinians set for Mecca talks Palestinians set for Mecca talks
(20 minutes later)
Palestinian leaders whose factions have engaged in deadly battles are preparing for talks in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, seen as a last chance to avoid civil war.Palestinian leaders whose factions have engaged in deadly battles are preparing for talks in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, seen as a last chance to avoid civil war.
Hopes are high the meeting between PM Ismail Haniya and President Mahmoud Abbas may lead to a unity government and revitalise peace moves with Israel.Hopes are high the meeting between PM Ismail Haniya and President Mahmoud Abbas may lead to a unity government and revitalise peace moves with Israel.
Mr Haniya's Hamas and Mr Abbas's Fatah factions have been locked in a bitter power struggle over the last year.Mr Haniya's Hamas and Mr Abbas's Fatah factions have been locked in a bitter power struggle over the last year.
About 60 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip in the last two weeks.About 60 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip in the last two weeks.
There may be obstacles but we confirm that we are going with true intentions to reach a Palestinian-Palestinian agreement Ismail Haniya Press holds breath However, a shaky ceasefire has been holding since Saturday, after the latest round of violence flared last week.There may be obstacles but we confirm that we are going with true intentions to reach a Palestinian-Palestinian agreement Ismail Haniya Press holds breath However, a shaky ceasefire has been holding since Saturday, after the latest round of violence flared last week.
And the signals emerging from both camps ahead of Wednesday's talks have been distinctly positive, says the BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza.And the signals emerging from both camps ahead of Wednesday's talks have been distinctly positive, says the BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza.
There is talk of progress having been made in the run-up to the meeting, with both sides saying they are hopeful a deal will bring them together in unity government.There is talk of progress having been made in the run-up to the meeting, with both sides saying they are hopeful a deal will bring them together in unity government.
Delegations from Fatah and Hamas both arrived in Jeddah on Tuesday and separately met their host King Abdullah before holding preliminary talks together.Delegations from Fatah and Hamas both arrived in Jeddah on Tuesday and separately met their host King Abdullah before holding preliminary talks together.
On Wednesday they will be joined by other senior officials and move to a royal palace in Mecca to begin the talks in earnest.On Wednesday they will be joined by other senior officials and move to a royal palace in Mecca to begin the talks in earnest.
Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said he will meet Mr Abbas and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on 19 February.
The summit was proposed by Ms Rice during her recent visit to the Middle East aimed at reviving peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Mr Olmert said he hoped Mr Abbas would not forge a unity governmentwith Hamas that stopped short of meeting Western demands torecognise Israel and renounce violence.
Saudi motivesSaudi motives
Replacing the current Hamas-led government with a more moderate coalition might enable the Palestinians to re-engage more fully with the West, says our correspondent.
Hamas has so far refused to recognise Israel or renounce violence - both preconditions to end a crippling Western aid boycott of the Hamas government.Hamas has so far refused to recognise Israel or renounce violence - both preconditions to end a crippling Western aid boycott of the Hamas government.
Replacing the current Hamas-led government with a more moderate coalition might enable the Palestinians to re-engage more fully with the West, says our correspondent.
"There may be obstacles but we confirm that we are going with true intentions to reach a Palestinian-Palestinian agreement that would end tensions and reinforce national unity," said Mr Haniya."There may be obstacles but we confirm that we are going with true intentions to reach a Palestinian-Palestinian agreement that would end tensions and reinforce national unity," said Mr Haniya.
Earlier Hamas-Fatah meetings - brokered by other Arab countries, Egypt, Syria and Qatar - have been preceded by equally optimistic words, but have led to nothing.Earlier Hamas-Fatah meetings - brokered by other Arab countries, Egypt, Syria and Qatar - have been preceded by equally optimistic words, but have led to nothing.
Hamas gunmen have been involved in fierce clashes with Fatah rivalsBut there is a feeling that this time could be different, our correspondent says.Hamas gunmen have been involved in fierce clashes with Fatah rivalsBut there is a feeling that this time could be different, our correspondent says.
There is huge domestic and international pressure on the two parties for a breakthrough, and the talks are being held in the auspicious surroundings of Islam's most holy city.There is huge domestic and international pressure on the two parties for a breakthrough, and the talks are being held in the auspicious surroundings of Islam's most holy city.
The mediating will be done by Saudi Arabia, which has significant political and financial clout.The mediating will be done by Saudi Arabia, which has significant political and financial clout.
Saudi Arabia also has its own motives for seeking a solution to the crisis in Gaza, says the BBC's Middle East analyst Roger Hardy.Saudi Arabia also has its own motives for seeking a solution to the crisis in Gaza, says the BBC's Middle East analyst Roger Hardy.
Saudi leaders are deeply uneasy about the role of Iran in three of the region's main trouble spots - Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine, he says.Saudi leaders are deeply uneasy about the role of Iran in three of the region's main trouble spots - Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine, he says.
Saudi Arabia may have ambitions of filling a leadership vacuum in the Arab world, he says - though whether they are capable of doing so remains to be seen.Saudi Arabia may have ambitions of filling a leadership vacuum in the Arab world, he says - though whether they are capable of doing so remains to be seen.