Abbas Holds Rare Meeting With Hamas ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press by Dalia Nammari - November 2, 2007 - 4:42pm Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with members of Hamas on Friday for the first time since the militant group ousted his forces and took over the Gaza Strip in June. Abbas' aides described the meeting with four West Bank-based Hamas members as an informal gathering after Friday prayers at Abbas' presidential compound, saying it was not an official contact between the two movements. Abbas has repeatedly said he would have no contact with Hamas until it cedes power in Gaza. But one of the Hamas men, Hussein Abu Quaik, said Abbas invited them to prayers. » Read more

Palestinian Force Enters Nablus In Security Drive ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Atef Saad - November 2, 2007 - 4:40pm Hundreds of Palestinian security officers arrived in Nablus on Friday in the first stage of a Western-backed drive to crack down on gunmen in the occupied West Bank ahead of a peace conference with Israel. Israel, which is trying to bolster Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas against his Hamas rivals, approved the deployment in the flashpoint West Bank city. Israeli government spokesman David Baker said the move would improve security and could be repeated elsewhere in the West Bank if it worked well. » Read more