Fatah, Hamas begin reconciliation talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times by Richard Boudreaux - February 27, 2009 - 1:00am Spurred by the prospect of hundreds of millions of dollars in aid for the war-battered Gaza Strip, the rival Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas began long-awaited talks Thursday aimed at restoring a power-sharing arrangement. The talks in Cairo have the blessing of the Obama administration and could lead to a new international approach toward Hamas, the Islamic group that the U.S., like Israel and the European Union, considers a terrorist organization. » Read more

Palestinians agree to form unity govt ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Middle East Times by Sakher Abu El Oun - February 26, 2009 - 1:00am Rival Palestinian groups agreed on Thursday to set up a unity government by the end of March after reconciliation talks aimed at ending long-running factional feuding, Palestinian officials said. The agreement, which could lead to the creation of a Palestinian government acceptable to the international community, was announced by officials from two Palestinian factions involving in the Cairo-sponsored dialogue. » Read more

Israel's Netanyahu Meets With Envoy Mitchell ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Aron Heller - February 27, 2009 - 1:00am Israel's next leader sat face-to-face Thursday with a man whose vision of Israeli-Palestinian relations is radically different from his own: the Obama administration's new Middle East envoy. Prime Minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu says negotiations on Palestinian statehood are pointless. But envoy George J. Mitchell wants Israel to resume negotiations to establish a Palestinian state. This is Mitchell's second Middle East visit since President Obama took office last month. Next week, Hillary Rodham Clinton will make her first trip to the region as secretary of state. » Read more

Palestinian Rivals Announce Steps Toward Healing Rift ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Taghreed El-Khodary, Isabel Kershner - February 26, 2009 - 1:00am Leaders of the rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah declared Thursday a “historic day” at the conclusion of a meeting here aimed at healing a 20-month schism. The long-awaited Cairo talks added another twist to an already complex political situation as President Obama’s Middle East envoy arrived in Israel for discussions with Israeli and Palestinian officials. » Read more

U.S. Helps Palestinians Build Force for Security ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Ethan Bronner - February 26, 2009 - 1:00am They rappel down a 65-foot tower, navigate obstacle courses, shoot in the firing range and sleep in pristine barracks. They eat in an air-conditioned mess where brushed aluminum glints from every kitchen surface. Rows of Land Rovers stand by. The entrance reads “The Presidential Guard, Always in Front: Strength, Sacrifice, Redemption.” » Read more