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U.S.-allied Arab states take Abbas' side in row with Hamas By Reuters Tags: United States, hamas, Abbas  ABU DHABI - Foreign ministers of U.S.-allied Arab states meeting in Abu Dhabi yesterday said they were seeking to consolidate Arab support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in his row with Islamist group Hamas. "Our aim is to boost Arab solidarity, to mobilize our backing for the Arab peace initiative and to bolster support for the Palestinian Authority under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas," the United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan told Reuters. Sheikh Abdullah said ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Yemen and the Palestinian Authority also backed the Palestine Liberation Organization as the "sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people," after Hamas called for it to be replaced by a body less dominated by allies of Abbas. Egypt has been trying with U.S. backing to broker a long-term truce that would end Palestinian arms smuggling and also lead to reopening the coastal enclave's border crossings with Israel. Advertisement Arab ministers meeting in Abu Dhabi backed Egypt's efforts and were preparing the ground for a donors conference in Egypt on February 22 aimed at helping the Palestinian people, with the full involvement of the PA. "The ministers who met here today were all in support of the Egyptian initiative and Cairo's effort to achieve calm between the Palestinian and the Israeli sides," Sheikh Abdullah said. Responding to Egypt's mediation, Hamas said on Monday it would be prepared to halt hostilities for a year if a deal could be reached on lifting Israel's blockade of Gaza. A Hamas delegation planned to meet Egyptian mediators in Cairo yesterday to deliver a response to the truce proposals. Hamas, which beat Abbas' secular Fatah faction in a January 2006 election and took over the Gaza Strip 18 months later, has been shunned by Western powers for refusing to renounce violence and recognize Israel. But Hamas receives support from Iran and other regional allies and levies local taxes. In reference to Iran's role, Sheikh Abdullah said the Abu Dhabi meeting was expected to be the first of several in the coming weeks aimed at bridging differences among Arab countries. Related articles: Israel thinks Hamas waiting on Obama for Gaza truce Abbas: Hamas' abuse of religion for political end is unacceptable Abbas calls on Obama to enact Arab peace plan as soon as he takes office Bookmark to del.icio.us   Celebrities scam Arab world celebrities 'swindled of millions by Egyptian fraudster'. Holocaust denial Vatican: Bishop who denied the Holocaust must recant his positions.   1.   Ofcourse they takes Abbas side 08:21  |  Fareed 04/02/09   2.   Why israel negotiate with corrupt arab regimes?! 08:53  |  hassan 04/02/09   3.   Fareed and the darkness 09:07  |  Hani 04/02/09   4.   Don`t give up, but don`t get your hopes up too high. 11:50  |  Joel A. Levitt 04/02/09   5.   Why does Israel negotiate with corrupt Arab regimes? 13:45  |  Motic 04/02/09

Read & React UN backtracks on claim that deadly IDF strike hit Gaza school Responses: 252 Hamas: Israel offered to let in 75% of Gaza aid in exchange for Shalit Responses: 71 Barak okays new West Bank settlement in return for evacuation of illegal outpost Responses: 56 Yehuda Ben Meir: Claim that Israel committed war crimes in Gaza is blood libel Responses: 34 Gaza doctor who lost daughters in IDF strike: Everyone makes mistakes Responses: 23 More Headlines 21:05 Gaza doctor who lost daughters in IDF strike: Everyone makes mistakes 17:06 Mubarak: Hamas to blame for spilled Arab blood 23:53 Elections 2009 / Poll reveals: The game is not over yet 20:26 Lebanon says five rockets founds near border with Israel 00:44 Israel intercepts Lebanese aid ship bound for Gaza Strip 00:12 Elections 2009 / Netanyahu: Lieberman will be pivotal minister in my government 23:30 Report: World's most wanted Nazi 'Doctor Death' died in 1992 22:53 S. Africa politician apologizes for saying 'Jewish money controls America' 20:06 UN: Hamas seized food and blankets from needy Gazans 20:44 Amira Hass / Gazans set up make shift exhibit of Israeli weapons used in Cast Lead 21:24 Arab world celebrities 'swindled of millions by Egyptian fraudster' 18:20 Vatican: Bishop who denied the Holocaust must recant 13:26 Report: Obama to offer Russia deal to cut nuclear arms by 80% 15:46 World powers urge Iran to cooperate with UN over nuclear program Previous Editions Select Day 04 feb 03 feb 02 feb 01 feb 30 jan 29 jan 28 jan 27 jan 26 jan 25 jan 23 jan 22 jan

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