“It is not even about a Syrian interest,'' Livni told an audience at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. “They want to dictate the Palestinian conflict.
She also said Syria was interfering with efforts to release the captured soldier. She said any time the two sides got close to a deal, “the order came from Syria saying not to release him.''
By MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH
Associated Press Writer
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - The rival Hamas and Fatah parties froze talks Monday on forming a Palestinian unity government, Fatah officials said, a new setback in efforts to form a more moderate coalition acceptable to the West.
The deep differences raised questions about the ability of the sides to reach a deal that could end months of painful economic sanctions that have bankrupted the Palestinian government and caused widespread hardship in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The sudden announcement of a breakdown came after months of negotiations that appeared to be heading toward formation of a Cabinet of independent experts to replace the Hamas-led body. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah met late Sunday with Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of the ruling Islamic group Hamas in Gaza, and officials said the session was cordial.
But Abbas aide Nabil Amr said Monday that the talks had reached a standstill.
"We would say talks are suspended now," he told a news conference. "What we have agreed upon is only the first mile over the 1,000-mile road."
It wasn't clear whether the suspension was the sign of a real crisis or simply a negotiating tactic by Abbas' weakened Fatah Party.
Hamas officials denied any serious trouble. "Talks are continuing on the highest levels," Haniyeh said.
However, no new talks were scheduled.
The two sides earlier agreed on a U.S.-educated academic as the candidate for prime minister to replace Haniyeh, and crafted a foundation for a joint government that would leave negotiating with Israel up to Abbas, while Hamas would deal with day-to-day issues.
Hamas won parliamentary elections and took office in March. The U.S. and Europe then cut off aid to the Palestinian government, labeling Hamas a terror group for its history of suicide bombings and other attacks against Israelis.
The West insists that before it would restore aid, the Palestinian government had to recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept past peace accords. Hamas refused its ideology does not accept the existence of a Jewish state in an Islamic Middle East.
Even if the sides reach agreement, it remains unclear whether the "division of labor" formula, with the moderate Abbas handling diplomacy while Hamas sticks to its hard line, would be acceptable to the West.
Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal held talks overnight in Damascus, Syria, with Abbas envoy Ahmed Qureia, but the meeting focused on proposals for bringing Hamas into the PLO, a separate issue that has long been under discussion without progress.
Relations with Israel have deteriorated since Hamas took office, especially after Hamas-linked militants captured an Israeli soldier in a cross-border raid in June.
In London, Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Monday that Syria was the reason talks between the Palestinian factions have been troubled. Whenever Hamas has shown signs of cooperation with Abbas, Syria has sent messages saying "don't do it," she said.
"It is not even about a Syrian interest," Livni told an audience at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. "They want to dictate the Palestinian conflict.
She also said Syria was interfering with efforts to release the captured soldier. She said any time the two sides got close to a deal, "the order came from Syria saying not to release him."
Israel has been carrying out a military offensive in the Gaza Strip since the capture, while Palestinian militants continue to fire homemade rockets into southern Israel, launching at least nine rockets Monday. No injuries were reported. Last week, an Israeli woman was killed in a rocket attack.
After nightfall Monday, two Hamas militants were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in Gaza City, Hamas officials said. The Israeli military said it targeted a car carrying "terrorist activists." Hamas threatened revenge.
Following the airstrike, Palestinians streamed to a house in Gaza City after they said the owner, a Hamas activist, received a warning from Israel that the house was to be targeted in an attack. Such demonstrations foiled three previous Israeli attacks on houses in recent days.
Last week, Israeli forces wrapped up a deadly, destructive sweep through the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the rocket barrages. The next day, errant Israeli shells killed 19 members of a Gaza family.
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour began a trip to the region by visiting Beit Hanoun. "I'm basically here to express my concern and bring some comfort, I hope, by showing these victims that the world has not abandoned them," she said. The commission has voted to condemn Israel for the shelling.
She also called on Palestinians to stop firing rockets into Israel and said the perpetrators of rocket attacks should be held accountable.
