Abbas: Iran orders Hamas to block Palestinian reconciliation

[oberliner]

RAMALLAH (AFP) -- President Mahmoud Abbas said Friday that Iran has ordered the Islamist movement Hamas not to reconcile with its long-time foe and his secular party, Fatah.

"Until now Hamas refuses to say yes or no to the initiative" to put an end to divisions, form a new government and prepare for elections.

"Now the ball is in their court," Abbas said.

Hamas, while a Sunni Muslim organization, is suspected by Israel and the United States of being funded and armed by Shiite Iran. Tehran says that it provides only moral support to the group against their common enemy, Israel.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=379101