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Last update - 14:31 19/03/2008 Hamas refuses Fatah demand it cede Gaza control for reconciliation By Reuters Tags: Hamas, Yemen, Gaza, Fatah Hamas voiced willingness on Wednesday to talk to Fatah as part of a Yemeni reconciliation initiative but said the secular faction must drop its demand the Islamist group first give up control of the Gaza Strip. "We do not accept it as a condition to restore dialogue," Hamas spokesmanAyman Taha said. "[The Gaza Strip] is only an item that can be discussed within the agenda of the talks." Fatah official Ziad Abu Ein said it was sticking to the "fundamental condition that legitimacy must be returned to the Palestinian Authority" -- a direct reference to regaining Gaza sovereignty - for contacts with Hamas to resume. Advertisement The acceptance of the Yemeni initiative meant they were willing to accept mediation but were not budging from their positions on direct talks and the future of the Gaza Strip. Delegations from the two factions were to meet separately with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa but a breakthrough seemed unlikely in the absence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, who was initially expected to lead the Islamist group's delegation. Yemeni Foreign Minister Abubakr al-Qirbi said he was still "optimistic about reaching an agreement between Hamas and Fatah". Hamas seized the Gaza Strip, home to 1.5 million Palestinians, in fighting against Abbas's Fatah faction last June. The Yemeni proposal calls for the situation in the territory to return to the way it was before the Hamas takeover and for Palestinian elections to be held, conditions endorsed by Abbas and so far rejected by Hamas. Related articles: Egypt brokering Hamas-Israel deal on long-term Gaza tuce Senior Abbas adviser suspected of smuggling phones to Jordan Hamas ministers resign to pave way for Fatah-Hamas coalition Bookmark to del.icio.us   My three homelands French Vogue chose Lizzie Doron as one of Israel's influential authors. President Barghouti Jailed Tanzim leader says he's considering running in next PA presidential elections.   1.   Quslings,dream on! Hamas will never give up Gaza,in fact they 16:05  |  lakshmi 19/03/08   2.   News Flash: Hamas destroys Abbas, no peace in out time. 18:38  |  Voice of Reason 19/03/08

Today Online Tom Segev: Merkel slams Qassams, but ignores Israel's actions Responses: 178 Egypt brokering Hamas-Israel deal for long-term Gaza truce Responses: 58 High Court closes off use of major highway to Palestinians Responses: 118 Study finds Israeli Jews increasingly racist toward Arabs Responses: 140 Security forces fear double Hezbollah attack in Israel, abroad Responses: 80 Rosner's Domain McCain rep to Jewish crowd: Christian right 'serious problem' Were Shakespeare's Plays Written By A Jewish Woman? (WTR) Rosner's Mailbox: I used to believe that you just hated Hillary Poll: Is the "road map" still relevant? Did Iraq have ties to Al Qaeda? (WTR) More Headlines 18:23 McCain in Sderot: Rocket attacks demand response 17:30 J'lem police chief: Cop on duty should've stopped yeshiva attacker 16:34 Egypt brokering Hamas-Israel deal on long-term Gaza tuce 18:18 Obama at oratorical best, but Wright saga still not over 17:32 Water Authority: Israel must act to avoid humanitarian crisis 10:07 Security forces fear double Hezbollah revenge attack in Israel, abroad 10:53 High Court closes off use of major highway to Palestinians 10:09 Study: Israeli Jews becoming increasingly racist toward Arabs 15:50 Finance Min.: We won't hesitate to act against dropping dollar 10:09 New Meretz chair: We won't join Olmert's government 14:31 Hamas refuses Fatah demand it cede Gaza control for reconciliation 12:41 Senior Abbas adviser suspected of smuggling phones to Jordan Previous Editions Select Day 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar 14 mar 13 mar 12 mar 11 mar 10 mar 09 mar 07 mar 06 mar 05 mar

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