Talks between Fatah, Hamas break down
Published: March 21, 2008 at 1:12 AM
SANA, Yemen, March 21 (UPI) -- The Fatah delegation walked out of talks Thursday, ending an attempt by Yemen to heal the split in the Palestinian Authority.
Fatah blamed Hamas for refusing to give up control of Gaza, the Jerusalem Post reported.
"Hamas is responsible for the failure of the Yemeni initiative," said Yasser Abed Rabbo, a senior PLO official with close ties to President Mahmoud Abbas. "Our delegation will be heading home tomorrow. We will return to Yemen once Hamas accepts the initiative."
The plan put forward by President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen called for Hamas to cede Gaza to the Palestinian Authority. It also provided for a new unity government and early elections.
A Hamas spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri, said Fatah scuttled the talks by walking out. He said the delegations were close to an agreement and had been talking about further discussions during the weekend.
Fatah blamed Hamas for refusing to give up control of Gaza, the Jerusalem Post reported.
"Hamas is responsible for the failure of the Yemeni initiative," said Yasser Abed Rabbo, a senior PLO official with close ties to President Mahmoud Abbas. "Our delegation will be heading home tomorrow. We will return to Yemen once Hamas accepts the initiative."
The plan put forward by President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen called for Hamas to cede Gaza to the Palestinian Authority. It also provided for a new unity government and early elections.
A Hamas spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri, said Fatah scuttled the talks by walking out. He said the delegations were close to an agreement and had been talking about further discussions during the weekend.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
» Next in Top News:
China admits protesters fired on
A Palestinian refugee Mohamad Harb 85 year Old . shows his old house keys from his former village as a symbol of hope that his may return his one day on May 12, 2008 in his Rafah refugee camp which is located within the Gaza Strip. Harb used to live in the village of Hmamh before his family was forced to immigrate to the Gaza Strip in 1948. After sixty years Harb has hope of returning to his old village which is now in Israeli territory and is named Kreat Hmamh. Traditionally Palestinians commemorate May 15th as Nakba Day or Catastrophe Day, the day the Israeli State was created in 1948.(UPI Photo/Ismael Mohamad)
Traditionally Palestinians commemorate May 15th as Catastrophe Day
Full Photo
| Slideshow
Latest Headlines
- India special force to fight Maoists
- FLDS elder complains to Bush about raid
- Tailored minority asthma education works
- Poll: Bush's approval hits all-time low
- Outer Critics Circle honors 'August'
- Poor indoor air quality can trigger asthma
- United States routs Norway in World Hockey
- Teen given life in decapitation case
Most Popular
- UPI NewsTrack Quirks in the News
- British pet psychic helps find lost dog
- Man cuts car in half to make a point
- Speedo-wearing beach bum sues cops
- Baseballs bombard homes; field shut down
- Pastor says to forgive skull pot smokers
- Commander probed in nude shooting case
- Romantic teen runs afoul of girl's dad