RAMALLAH, March 26, 2011 (WAFA) - President Mahmoud Abbas met in Ramallah on Saturday with a high level Hamas delegation, headed by Aziz Dweik, president of the Palestinian Legislative Council.

He discussed with them his initiative to form a government of independent figures to prepare for presidential, legislative and Palestine National Council elections, as well as his planned trip to Gaza.

He told the delegation that there will not be an independent Palestinian state without reconciliation.

Dweik described his meeting the Hamas meeting with Abbas as “frank and positive.”

He said that “We listened to the president talk about his initiative to end division and reach reconciliation.”

He said the results of the planned trip will become clear in the next few days.

Fatah officials believe Hamas is opposed to the visit and Abbas’ initiative.

“The meeting was deep and positive, but we have not yet seen steps by Hamas that they want to implement the president wish to go to Gaza,” said Fatah leader Azzam Ahmad.

He said that in spite of the negative response by some Hamas spokesmen in Gaza regarding Abbas’ visit, “we did not give up hope and we will do all we can to make this initiative successful and end the division.

M.A.