Hamas, Fatah plan unity, report claims

JERUSALEM, April 7 (UPI) -- Hamas and Palestinian leaders met secretly to discuss a unity government, early elections and other measures, an Israeli intelligence report said.

Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to develop a five-point accord behind the backs of international mediators, including U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the Israeli intelligence reporting Web site, DEBKAfile, reported Monday.

Abbas assured U.S. President George Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney on separate occasions he would not hold formal discussions with Hamas officials, but the Hamas and Palestinian officials met at the recent Arab League Summit in Damascus to discuss an accord.

The report says U.S. and Israeli officials quietly acquiesced to the meetings, but worry the Palestinian leadership will use concessions from Israel to make a unity government stronger.

DEBKAfile cites unnamed Palestinian sources that said the five-point accord includes a unity government, early presidential elections,and a joint agreement "to declare an end to Palestinian peace talks," as well as other agreements of cooperation.