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Hamas chief says conciliation remains possible with Fatah

RAMALLAH, Nov 16 (KUNA) -- The dismissed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyah said on Tuesday "gates for conciliation" with Fatah remained open despite what he termed a backward approach taken by the group during the latest round of the talks.
In the Eid Al-Adha address to worshippers at a stadium in the center of Gaza city, Haniyah said Hamas movement remained committed to the conciliation to preserve "the basic accomplishments of the Palestinian people and confronting the Zionist entity.
"We are embroiled in deep divisions but we have a sole enemy, the Israeli occupation, and we are still keen on tackling the rifts and realising the conciliation despite the backdown steps and the allegiance to the Americans and other powers," he said alluding to Fatah movement of President Mahmoud Abbas.
Haniya, also the chief of Hamas, expressed support for Palestinian MPs of Jerusalem, poised to be extradited by Israel, and stressed that the Israeli siege of Gaza would end as a result of the steadfastness and sacrifices of the Gazans.
Haniya's group had held several rounds of conciliation talks with Fatah in a bid to tackle the inter-Palestinian divisions.
The Islamic group had taken control of Gaza, driving Fatah's followers out of the strip. (end) nq.rk KUNA 161231 Nov 10NNNN