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Unity talks off amid Gaza fighting

Atul Aneja

DUBAI: Intense fighting between Fatah and its rival Palestinian group, Hamas, has killed 19 persons and has led to the suspension of talks for the formation of a national unity government. Forces loyal to Fatah, which is headed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas, clashed for the third straight day on Saturday.

At least two persons were killed in the latest fighting, raising the death toll since violence broke out on Thursday to 19. Mr. Abbas said if calm was not restored in the next two to three weeks, he would call for elections. Hamas, which won the parliamentary elections in January 2006, has signalled that it would boycott them. Analysts say the clashes are symptomatic of the bigger struggle for influence.

While Iran and Syria back Hamas, there has been a concerted bid by the U.S. and Israel, to co-opt Mr. Abbas in the western orbit of influence.

Observers say the U.S. and Israel had been uncomfortable with Mr. Abbas' meeting with Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal in Damascus on January 21. Persuaded by Syria, Mr. Abbas met Mr. Meshaal on the formation of a coalition government.

Gunmen have clashed outside the residences of Mr. Abbas and Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar of Hamas. Hamas officials claim two rocket-propelled grenades damaged Mr. Zahar's home.

Hamas gunmen have fired mortars at the security compound and at the home of the Fatah-allied Preventive Security chief, Rashid Abu Shbak. Both sides have taken hostages during the fighting.

Fatah has seized 19 Hamas supporters, while Hamas has been holding on to a dozen Fatah loyalists. With fighting still raging, neither side has so far indicated that it is inclined towards reconciliation.

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