China to host Hamas, Fatah for Palestinian unity talks

Source: Reuters

China to host Hamas, Fatah for Palestinian unity talks

Laurie Chen and Nidal al-Mughrabi
Fri, April 26, 2024 at 2:33 PM AST·3 min read

Fatah is the movement of Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the Israeli occupied West Bank.

The two rival Palestinian factions have failed to heal their political disputes since Hamas fighters expelled Fatah from Gaza in a short war in 2007. Washington is wary of moves to reconcile the two groups, as it supports the PA but has banned Hamas as terrorists.

A Fatah official told Reuters a delegation, led by the group's senior official Azzam Al-Ahmed, had left for China. A Hamas official said the faction's team for the talks, led by senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk, would be flying there later on Friday.

"We support strengthening the authority of the Palestinian National Authority, and support all Palestinian factions in achieving reconciliation and increasing solidarity through dialogue and consultation," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin at a regular briefing on Friday, without confirming the meeting.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/china-host-hamas-fatah-palestinian-unity-talks-2024-04-26/

Alternate link: https://news.yahoo.com/china-host-hamas-fatah-palestinian-183304033.html