Mesha'al discusses with Lavrov Palestinian developments

[ 20/03/2008 - 03:56 PM ]

DAMASCUS, (PIC)--

Khaled Mesha'al, the head of the Hamas political bureau, met on Wednesday with Sergi Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, in the Syrian capital Damascus during which they discussed a number of issues related to the Palestinian cause.

Mesha'al briefed the Russian minister about the developments in the Palestinian arena and the negative impacts of the Israeli siege imposed on Gaza.

For his part, PA chief Mahmoud Abbas said in a press release to the Russian Vremya Novosti newspaper that he does not welcome the idea of conducting talks between Lavrov and Mesha'al in Damascus.

Lavrov responded to Abbas in an interview with the Russia Today TV channel saying that Russia has good relations with Hamas and its contacts with it will continue in order to achieve one goal which is to help restore the Palestinian unity.

Lavrov added that the Makkah accord concluded between Hamas and Fatah was a very important progress in this regard, expressing his regret that the accord was frozen because of many reasons.

In another press release to the Vremya Novosti, a prominent Russian diplomat highlighted that the Russian side believes in the need to hold talks with Hamas leaders because peace in the Middle East cannot be reached without the participation of Hamas.

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