Abbas talks with Hamas officials

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Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has met Hamas officials for the first time since the militant group's takeover of the Gaza Strip in June.

The meeting, at the presidential compound in Ramallah, included former Hamas Deputy PM Nasserdine al-Shaer.

But Mr Abbas' office said the meeting did not represent a change in policy.

A spokesman said that Hamas must rescind control of Gaza before any reconciliation talks between the two sides can take place.

The four Hamas officials who met Mr Abbas held a press conference earlier in the week at which they expressed regret at the takeover.

Talks prospects

It is not clear whether these Hamas officials represent the views held by the Hamas leadership in Gaza, says the BBC's West Bank correspondent Aleem Maqbool.

But one of the Hamas officials who met Mr Abbas said that the movement's leadership were aware of the meeting on Friday.

"This will contribute to strengthening our relationship, and lay the basis for national unity," said one of the participants, Hamas' Hussein Abu Quaik.

The Israeli government condemned the meeting and called on Mr Abbas to marginalise the Islamist movement.

"Hamas must be sidelined until it accepts international agreements including Israel's right to exist," said Israeli government spokesman David Baker.

The meeting comes as Mr Abbas prepares for Middle East peace talks the Americans are convening in Annapolis, Maryland.

Hamas has not been invited to those talks and there remains some doubt about exactly which countries will attend.