Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has ruled out any reconciliation talks with Hamas. Mr. Abbas told reporters Saturday that he will not arrange for a dialogue with Hamas until the group retracts its forceful takeover of the Gaza Strip in June.
Mr. Abbas was speaking in Amman, Jordan, where he chaired a meeting with members of the Palestine National Council. He also appointed a new, moderate Palestinian Authority government to replace an interim body, stirring protests from Hamas leaders who call the move unconstitutional.
Mr. Abbas named the interim emergency cabinet in mid-June to replace the Hamas-led unity government he dismissed following the Gaza takeover.
There was a 30-day limit on the term of the emergency cabinet.
Hamas seized control of Gaza in fighting with the rival group Fatah led by President Abbas.
Palestinian officials said Israel is looking at ways to lend the Abbas government support. They said Israel is considering a deal to remove several Palestinians from its list of wanted militants if they promise not to attack Israelis.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
