Hamas' political head in Egypt for Fatah talks (Roundup)

Jun 9, 2009, 18:28 GMT

Cairo - Hamas' political leader Khaled Meshaal insisted Tuesday that no side will be able to affect the Palestinian-Israeli conflict unless they are prepared to deal with Hamas - but conceded there had been no official contact with US administration of President Barack Obama.

'No one in the region nor the international community will be able to do anything that can affect the Palestinian-Israeli conflict unless they deal with Hamas,' Meshaal told a joint press conference in Cairo with Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa.

Meshaal arrived in Egypt Tuesday for talks with Egyptian officials on the chances of resuming Palestinian talks aimed at achieving unity between Hamas and the rival grouping Fatah.

The Damascus-based Meshaal, who was accompanied by a delegation of senior officials of the Islamist movement that controls the Gaza Strip, also met with Egypt's intelligence chief Omar Suleiman.

Meshaal's comments came after he was asked if there was contact between Hamas and US President Barack Obama.

'We are not against talking with the US administration, but there has been no official contact until now,' said Meshaal, adding that what they want to see is a change in the US policies not only 'a new language' - referring to Obama's well-received speech in Cairo last week.

Meshaal's visit follows armed clashes between forces from Hamas and its rival Fatah in the West Bank city of Qalaqilya last week. At the time, Hamas threatened to suspend its participation in the Egyptian-mediated talks.

At least two Hamas militants, as well as three security officers from the West Bank-based Fatah and a civilian were killed in two separate clashes.

'Hamas is keen on the reconciliation. Right now the only obstacle is the campaign launched against the movement,' said Meshaal.

Egypt has been mediating in talks between the rival movements aimed at ironing out differences on substantial issues related to the formation of a unity government.

A fourth round of talks in Cairo ended in late April without breakthrough. Cairo held separate talks with Fatah leaders on Sunday.