Palestine’s Abbas calls for resumption of polls talks

By Lubaba Thouqan

RAMALLAH (AA) - Palestinian president on Monday asked head of the election body to resume talks with Palestinian groups for preparation of the parliamentary elections that could be followed by presidential elections after few months.

According to Palestinian official news agency (WAFA), Mahmoud Abbas met Hanna Nassir in the presence of top Palestinian officials, and directed the government officials to provide all needed support for conducting the elections.

In his speech in the United Nations General Assembly 74th session, Abbas had pledged to hold elections.

Hamas group had won the last parliamentary elections held in 2006. Tension escalated between the main two parties -- Hamas and Fateh -- and ended with the political divide between Gaza and the West Bank.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara