Abbas Meets Hamas Officials in West Bank

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has held a rare meeting with Hamas officials in the West Bank, more than four months after the militant group defeated his moderate Fatah forces in a takeover of the Gaza Strip.

A presidential spokesman says Mr. Abbas met with a Hamas-backed former government minister and at least two other Hamas officials at the presidential compound in Ramallah Friday. He did not provide details of the meeting.

A Hamas spokesman in Gaza says Mr. Abbas invited the group to his compound for prayers, but said the meeting was not linked to official dialogue between Hamas and Fatah.

Mr. Abbas has said he will not hold reconciliation talks with Hamas until the group returns Gaza to his authority.

In another development, about 300 newly trained Palestinian policemen were deployed in the West Bank town of Nablus as part of a U.S.-backed plan to boost law and order in the troubled territory.

Israel approved the deployment of the force in an effort to bolster support for Mr. Abbas.

Another 200 officers are expected to arrive in coming days to help reinforce the northern city.

By VOA News

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