RAMALLAH, West Bank, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice discussed the Palestinian political situation Wednesday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.
Rice and Abbas are also expected to discuss reviving peace talks with Israel, YNetNews.com reported Wednesday.
Abbas said ahead of the meeting that "the conversations with Hamas about the establishment of a national unity government are no longer progressing." He implied that the government and parliament could be disbanded, YNetNews.com said.
"We are serious about our plan to establish a new unity government. We will see where things are going in the next two weeks and by then we will decide how to act. I will use my constitutional authorities when the time is right," Abbas said.
Rice's visit was earlier described as "unwelcome" by Hamas leader Ismail Radwan. Arutz Sheva reported Wednesday that Radwan described Rice's planned meetings with Palestinian leaders as "a U.S. attempt to support Israel."
Rice is scheduled for Wednesday meetings with Fatah leaders Hussein al-Sheikh and Kadura Fares, as well as independent legislators Hanan Ashrawi and Mustafa Barghouti, the Jerusalem Post reported.
