Peace summit overshadowed by Palestinian deal

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today found her plans to lead a symbolic Middle East peace summit eclipsed amid uncertainty and disagreement over how to handle a power-sharing deal to end internal Palestinian fighting.

Rice met for two hours with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, resolute in his position that he must govern hand-in-hand with Hamas militants who refuse to moderate anti-Israeli policies. The US consider Hamas a terrorist group.