Abbas meets Haniyeh, spokesman says talks to continue
(7 Nov 2006) ++NIGHT SHOTS++ 1. Various of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' convoy arriving 2. Various of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh meeting Abbas ++MUTE++ 3. Press at presidential compound 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Nabil Abu Rdeneh, Palestinian Authority spokesman: "I can assure that the discussion was in general. There were several points that we agreed upon. There are many other issues that have to be discussed. That will happen tomorrow. No names yet have been on the table, but the most important thing is that a national government from professionals will be the coming Palestinian government." 5. End shot of presidential compound STORYLINE: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas travelled to Gaza City on Monday for negotiations with Hamas, but the two sides failed again to put the finishing touches on a national unity government made up of independent experts. Abbas and Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas met for more than two hours amid reports that agreement was near, but officials said the talks ended with no accord. Speaking to reporters waiting outside the Presidential compound, Palestinian Authority spokesman, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, said several points had been agreed upon. "There are many other issues that have to be discussed. That will happen tomorrow," he said. Both sides said the talks would continue on Tuesday. They would not say what issues remain open. Abbas has been urging Hamas to join his Fatah movement in a coalition to end international sanctions. The platform of the emerging government is vague about the key international demand of recognising Israel and may not be enough to end the painful aid boycott. Under the emerging plan, the Hamas Cabinet and prime minister would step down and be replaced by a team of experts in the hope of ending the Western boycott, imposed when Hamas came to power in March. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
