Russia calls on PNA leaders to seek compromise in factional conflict

Moscow, Dec 17 (UNI) Russia has called on Palestinian National Authority (PNA) leaders to find ways for compromise in a conflict between rival political factions.

''It is important to try to find opportunities for mutually acceptable solutions, which would make it possible to avoid further destabilisation and to overcome the current crisis within the existing constitutional framework,'' the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The statement came after PNA President Mahmoud Abbas announced an early general election, a move denounced as a coup attempt by the radical Islamic group Hamas, which dominates the government.

Earlier, Mr Abbas, a leader of the moderate Fatah faction, unsuccessfully tried to form a National Unity government in a bid to overcome factional infighting and persuade the West to remove an embargo imposed following Hamas' landslide victory in January polls.

The United States and many European countries have called Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

Russia was the first country to accept the legitimacy of Hamas and invited a delegation from the group to Moscow after its election victory.

But negotiations between the 'Quartet' on West Asia conflict, including UN, EU, US and Russia, have stalled as Hamas refused to accept Israel's right to exist.

UNI XC SHB KP2000