Haneya calls for reconciliation with Fatah

Deposed Prime Minister of Hamas government in Gaza Ismail Haneya on Wednesday called for dialogue and reconciliation with rival Fatah movement.

"I call on Fatah movement, let us turn the page of the past and put the basis for a new Palestinian era of internal ties and political partnership," Haneya told a group of journalists, human rights activists and political figures at his office in Gaza.

"I call from here for forgiveness, political accordance and treat all our disputes on the negotiation table," Haneya said. "Dialogue and reconciliation are the only choice for the Palestinian people."

Haneya reviewed the political and security situation in the region, saying that his movement and his government "would reject any future political solution that doesn't bring the Palestinian people their legitimate rights."

Hamas government of Haneya was deposed by President Mahmoud Abbas right after Hamas militants seized control of the Gaza Strip by force and routed his security forces.

Although Egypt has been mediating between the two rival groups, both sides have so far failed to overcome their differences.

Among the sticky issues that both groups are still arguing are the issues of security, a unity government, reforming Palestine Liberation Organization and holding presidential and legislative elections in January 2010.