Palestine talks are suspended in latest setback

AN AIDE to President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday said talks on forming a Palestinian unity government have been suspended, the latest setback in drawn-out efforts by the rival Hamas and Fatah movements to establish a coalition acceptable to the West.

Abbas has been pushing Hamas to enter a unity government in hopes of ending an international aid boycott against the Palestinian government. The sanctions were imposed after Hamas defeated the more moderate Fatah in legislative elections early this year, putting the Islamic militant group in control of the Palestinian parliament and Cabinet while the moderate Abbas stayed as president.

Participants had reported progress in recent days and the sides agreed on a candidate for prime minister.