The negotiation between the two Palestinian movements is also to the benefit of Israel, Yemen's Foreign Minister Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi told The Media Line in an exclusive interview.

"The reality among many European countries is that Hamas cannot be excluded from any solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. Therefore, if the [Israelis] are sincere about the peace [process]… they should welcome the renegotiation between Hamas and Fatah," said Al-Qirbi.

The talks between Hamas and Fatah have nevertheless arrived at an unexpected deadlock. 'Azzam Al-Ahmad, Fatah's representative at the talks, has apparently signed the disputed 'Sana Declaration without the consent of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud 'Abbas.

The chairman's top political adviser, Nimr Hammad, blamed Al-Ahmad for not consulting with 'Abbas on the final formula of the agreement.

"Al-Ahmad should have called the chairman's office before he signed the agreement," Hammad said.

Al-Ahmad himself said Hammad "knows nothing" and that he was in contact with 'Abbas throughout the negotiations.

The P.A., which is led by Fatah leader Mahmoud 'Abbas, is dissatisfied with the 'Sana Declaration, which states that the two sides will negotiate a solution based on the Yemeni initiative. 'Abbas was adamant from the start that no negotiations would be allowed unless Hamas agreed in advance to all the principles included in the initiative.

Hamas, for its part, criticized Fatah for its internal dispute.

"The criticism and rejection voiced by elements in Fatah and the P.A. towards the 'Sana declaration… is compliant with the Zionist-American dictations," said spokesman of Hamas' parliamentary bloc, Dr. 'Salah Bardawil.

Elaborating on the controversy the 'Sana Declaration has sparked the Yemeni Foreign Minister told The Media Line Yemen had expected this sort of response. He added however, that it was the responsibility of the leaderships of Fatah and Hamas "to stand up to all these vocal statements."

"They know that the Palestinian people are expecting them to heed to Yemen's initiative and to be responsible, for the benefit of the Palestinian people," Al-Qirbi said.

Source: By The Media Line/Yaniv Berman