This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6334981.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Palestinian heads meet Saudi king Palestinian heads meet Saudi king
(about 3 hours later)
Leaders of the rival Palestinian factions have met separately with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah ahead of crisis talks aimed at ending clashes in Gaza.Leaders of the rival Palestinian factions have met separately with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah ahead of crisis talks aimed at ending clashes in Gaza.
Wednesday's talks in Mecca are seen as a last chance to agree on a government of national unity and avoid civil war.Wednesday's talks in Mecca are seen as a last chance to agree on a government of national unity and avoid civil war.
Fatah leader and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will meet Hamas's supreme leader Khaled Meshaal to try to resolve their factions' power struggle. Fatah leader and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will meet Hamas's political leader Khaled Meshaal to try to resolve their factions' differences.
More than 20 people died in clashes between the two sides last week.More than 20 people died in clashes between the two sides last week.
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.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 boycottWestern boycott
It is hoped the influence of King Abdullah and the atmosphere of Islam's holiest city will help the two sides reach a deal.It is hoped the influence of King Abdullah and the atmosphere of Islam's holiest city will help the two sides reach a deal.
The biggest sticking points have been disputes over how Fatah and Hamas split the top jobs - and the issue of recognising Israel, says Jeremy Bowen.The biggest sticking points have been disputes over how Fatah and Hamas split the top jobs - and the issue of recognising Israel, says Jeremy Bowen.
We are going with true intentions to reach a Palestinian-Palestinian agreement that would end tensions and reinforce national unity Ismail HaniyaPalestinian prime minister Press holds breath
The two sides have been locked in a bitter power struggle since Hamas won legislative elections last year.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.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.Months of on-and-off talks between Hamas and Fatah have yielded few results.
We are going with true intentions to reach a Palestinian-Palestinian agreement that would end tensions and reinforce national unity Ismail HaniyaPalestinian prime minister Press holds breath
Clashes between armed supporters of the two groups killed at least 80 people since December.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.However, a shaky ceasefire has been holding since Saturday, after the latest round of violence flared last week.
Both sides have made encouraging statements ahead of Wednesday's talks in Mecca.Both sides have made encouraging statements ahead of Wednesday's talks in Mecca.
An adviser to Mr Abbas, Nabil Shaath, told French news agency AFP that the "points of differences" between the two sides had lessened.An adviser to Mr Abbas, Nabil Shaath, told French news agency AFP that the "points of differences" between the two sides had lessened.
The influence of King Abdullah (r) may help broker a deal"Hamas will come into the meeting with new ideas which will perhaps be accepted on a commitment (to respecting) international and Arab accords as well as on the post of interior minister," he said. The influence of King Abdullah (r) may help broker a deal
"Hamas will come into the meeting with new ideas which will perhaps be accepted on a commitment (to respecting) international and Arab accords as well as on the post of interior minister," he said.
Before leaving for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Prime Minister Haniya said "we are going with true intentions to reach a Palestinian-Palestinian agreement that would end tensions and reinforce national unity".Before leaving for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Prime Minister Haniya said "we are going with true intentions to reach a Palestinian-Palestinian agreement that would end tensions and reinforce national unity".
Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said he will meet Mr Abbas and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on 19 February.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.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.
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.