DOHA: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held “positive” talks with Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal here yesterday in the first meeting since their rival movements signed a surprise unity deal last month.
The meeting began at 0900 GMT shortly after Abbas held talks with the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, a senior Palestinian official told AFP in Ramallah.
“Abbas and Meshaal held a long meeting this afternoon in Doha to discuss the latest Palestinian developments, including the reconciliation agreement and creating a positive atmosphere in which to achieve it,” a Hamas statement said.
“The meeting was positive, with both leaders expressing a serious willingness to turn over a new leaf, based on national partnership,” it added. The last time the two leaders met face-to-face was in Cairo in January 2013. AFP
