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del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 20:20 05/11/2007 Meshal: Summit is U.S. ruse meant to distract from war vs. Iran By The Associated Press tags: Damascus, Annapolis, Hamas  DAMASCUS - The leader of Hamas on Monday dismissed a U.S.-sponsored Mideast peace conference planned for later this year, saying it was meant to distract the region as Washington prepared for an attack against Iran. He also warned Palestinian leaders against making concessions to Israel during the meeting. "Strategically, it (the U.S.) is setting the stage and covering up for the upcoming American war in the region," Khaled Meshal told a press conference at a forum of Palestinian intellectuals in Damascus, where the political chief of the militant Palestinian faction has his headquarters. "There are preparations for an aggression against Iran, and could include other parties - Syria, Lebanon and Hezbollah. Therefore, America is distracting us with a false game and is preparing itself for the real one," he said. Advertisement He spoke as U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met Monday in Ramallah with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, Meshal's rival, to prepare the ground for the conference. The meeting is expected to be held later this year in the U.S. to try to restart Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations. At a news conference with Rice, Abbas said he was receiving encouraging signs from Israel that pointed to a real possibility for achieving a peace deal. Meanwhile, Meshal said he feared voluntary concessions by the Palestinians and the Arabs during the upcoming conference without reciprocal moves by the Israelis. The Hamas leader warned Arab states to stay away from the conference and advised Abbas against making any concessions. "No one is authorized to continue with negotiations like he wishes while the Palestinians are divided," he said. "No one is authorized to give up an inch of land, exchange it or give up the right of return. Bookmark to del.icio.us Envoy to the stars With a revival of political satire, Fairuz takes stage in Amman. Diaspora meddlers Should U.S. Jews have a voice in shaping Israel's policies?   1.   Let us hope he is half-right. 20:22  |  Mohan 05/11/07   2.   Bush the peacemaker. Has a nice ring, does it not? 21:38  |  Natallie Durson 05/11/07   3.   No way, enough Christian-American blood 23:29  |  American Christian 05/11/07   4.   Meshal is afraid of losing his cushy lifestyle 23:44  |  Lynn 05/11/07   5.   Natalie - only if. 02:11  |  Mark Lincoln 06/11/07   6.   Claimed Identity Suspect 02:13  |  Mark Lincoln 06/11/07   7.   Meshal is right 02:43  |  Neutered Observer 06/11/07   8.   # 3 American Christian..... 03:09  |  Lynn 06/11/07   9.   Meshal, why are the Pals divided? do u have part on it? 07:08  |  Amber 06/11/07   10.   American Christian`s critique of Meshal`s point correct 22:05  |  Ivar 06/11/07

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