The Syria-based Palestinian Hamas leader says only minor issues remain for a full reconciliation with the rival Fatah group. Hamas’ Khaled Mashaal on September 27 said in Damascus that the two groups have taken “serious and real steps” toward reconciliation and will meet in early October in Cairo. The rival sides had said they agreed on steps to end divisions.
Reconciliation between the factions is important because Abbas needs a unanimous stance in the newly relaunched negotiations with Israel. Hamas opposes the talks and has threatened to spoil them with violence. Meanwhile, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said after talks with Abbas in Paris that the Palestinian leader and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had accepted his invitation to peace talks before the end of October which Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has also been asked to attend. Abbas, who had threatened to abandon the negotiations if settlement building was revived, said he would withhold his decision until after an Arab League forum met on Oct. 4 and consultations with a Palestine Liberation Organisation council. Mahmoud Abbas said he will consult with the 22-member Arab League on how to proceed.