Hamas and Fatah far apart ahead of Yemeni mediation bid

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA (Reuters) - Delegations from rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah will travel to Yemen this week to discuss reconciliation, but the groups' leaders will not attend the talks, officials said on Monday.

The groups will meet separately with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, but the absence of Hamas leader-in-exile Khaled Meshaal and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah casts doubt on any success in ending hostilities between the factions.

Hamas Islamists routed Fatah forces to seize control of the Gaza Strip in June. After the takeover, Abbas dismissed a Hamas-led government and appointed a new Western-backed cabinet in the occupied West Bank.

Officials loyal to Abbas said the Yemeni initiative calls on Hamas to hand over control of Gaza and agree to early presidential and parliamentary elections, conditions endorsed by Abbas but rejected by Hamas.

Meshaal was initially expected to lead the Islamist group's delegation, but a Hamas spokesman said the Damascus-based leader's deputy, Moussa Abu Marzouq, would be sent instead.

The spokesman gave no reason for the change.

Senior Abbas aide Azzam al-Ahmed will head the Fatah team.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said Hamas would only be willing to discuss reconciliation with Fatah in a "non-conditional dialogue".

"We will respect any agreements that would result from that non-conditional and open meeting, if it takes place," Barhoum said.