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Abbas, Hamas members hold a rare meeting

Other News Materials 2 November 2007 22:25 (UTC +04:00)

(MSNBC) RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held a rare meeting Friday with members of the Islamic group Hamas, four months after Hamas militants defeated his own forces and took over the Gaza Strip.

The rivalry between Abbas and Hamas is bitter and often violent, and Abbas has repeatedly said he would have no contact with Hamas until it cedes power in Gaza. Israel has said that if Abbas renews ties with the Islamic group - which remains openly committed to Israel's destruction - it will break off peace talks with the Palestinians.

The meeting followed Friday prayers at Abbas' presidential compound and was attended by four Hamas members, including Nasser al-Shaer, who was deputy prime minister in the Hamas-led unity government that broke apart after the Gaza takeover in June.

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