Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called Wednesday for renewed dialogue with Hamas after insisting for months that the latter relinquish control of Gaza Strip first. He said successful talks could lead to new elections.
According to the AP, Abbas said in a speech that the Palestinians must have national dialogue "to end the internal division that harms our people, (our) cause." In Gaza, Hamas spokesman Taher Nunu welcomed the call for talks. "We welcome this call by the President Abbas to launch a national dialogue, and we consider it a positive step," the Hamas official said.
Abbas said if the talks succeed: "I will call for new legislative and presidential elections."
