Fatah and Hamas began talks in Qatar on the formation of an interim Palestinian government and the staging of elections.

Fatah and Hamas began talks in Qatar on the formation of an interim Palestinian government and the staging of elections.

According to AFP, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas Chief Khaled Meshaal began talks Sunday in the Qatari capital Doha.

Quoting an unnamed Palestinian official, the news agency reported that “the meeting was to explore the formation of an interim government composed of independents to oversee the preparations for upcoming presidential and legislative elections."

In parallel, Fatah party spokesman Azzam Al-Ahmad said in a statement that “Abbas and Meshaal would review and discuss a wide range of issues related to implementing a reconciliation deal signed between the two factions in April.”

He indicated that “the stalled peace talks with Israel would also be discussed at the meeting, which is being hosted by Qatar's Prince Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani."