Hamas leader stresses upcoming talks with Fatah must succeed

Source: CCTV.com | 02-05-2007 14:01

In the Middle East, the political leader of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal, says the upcoming negotiations with rival Fatah group in Mecca must succeed.

Residents in Gaza are complaining about the chaos and hoping a truce can help restore their daily lives.

Palestinian police are deployed across the streets of Gaza in a bid to restore calm after Sunday's chaos and unrest.

Despite Saturday's truce between Fatah and Hamas, mortar bombs exploded Sunday near the Gaza offices of Palestinian President Mahhoud Abbas and rival gunmen exchanged fire in the streets.

In the past four days, the number of Palestinians killed in factional clashes has increased to 27.

And Gaza residents are not happy.

Yehia Jamal, Gaza resident, said, "Honestly, the security situation in the Gaza Strip in the last couple of days has caused the markets to close, which has destroyed the economy. The university has closed, preventing the students from learning."

Some hope a truce will help restore their daily lives.

Meanwhile, Hamas leader Mashaal will meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Mecca on Tuesday for reconciliation talks hosted by Saudi King Abdullah. These is the highest-profile mediation effort after several weeks of fighting.

Khaled Mashaal, Hamas supreme leader, said, "Two parties from Fatah and Hamas will meet to discuss the matter. We will be successful. I say to everybody, It is forbidden to fail."

Mashaal and Abbas met two weeks ago in Damascus. But failed to reach an agreement on forming a national unity government a prelude to ending factional conflict.

Editor:Du Xiaodan