Russia, Syria urge Hamas to agree to national unity govt: Lavrov

Moscow, Jan 29 (UNI) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today said Moscow and Damascus, in line with an agreement between Russia and Syria, had been working to help in the formation of a government of national unity in Palestine.

''We are actively assisting in the formation of a government of national unity. If no one hinders the efforts of the two political groups Hamas and Fatah, they would be able to reach an agreement soon,'' Mr Lavrov told President Vladimir Putin at a Cabinet meeting.

''Hamas is ready to include previous agreements with Israel, UN and Arab League resolutions in a governmental programme,'' he said, adding ''This is the nature of our work, including efforts by Syrian authorities in line with an agreement with us.'' He also stressed that confrontation between Fatah and Hamas had been fuelled from abroad, pointing out an extremely difficult situation that could develop into a civil war had taken shape in Palestinian territories.

''The threat of a civil war in Palestinian territories is hampering efforts to resume negotiations with Israel,'' he said.

The West Asian mediating 'Quartet' will hold a foreign ministerial conference this month in Washington to discuss possible ways to stop the confrontation between Fatah and Hamas, he added.

UNI