Syria Today | Palestinian president visits Syria on peace talks

Palestinian president visits Syria on peace talks

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas failed to meet any Damascus-based officials from the rival Palestinian group Hamas during a three-day visit to Syria beginning July 6.

Abbas, the leader of Fatah, discussed with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad the need for Palestinian unity, as well as the latest developments in the indirect peace talks between Syria and Israel. Syria, which hosts 500,000 Palestinian refugees and is home to a number of radical Palestinian factions, has said it will support any reconciliation effort between Fatah and Damascus.

During his trip, Abbas called on Palestinian factions to take part in talks to restore national unity, but ruled out meeting with Hamas. “I will not talk to Hamas until it gives up power in Gaza,” he said.

A Hamas official denounced the decision not to meet with Hamas leader Khalid Mashaal, saying it showed Abbas was following a US agenda that “rejects dialogue”.

Abbas did, however, meet with Damascus-based leaders from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) during his trip.

Syria is trying to mediate an agreement between Fatah and Hamas. The Syrian president met with Mashaal before Abbas’ visit.