Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations

    GAZA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Deposed Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haneya on Tuesday welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' statements over readiness for talks with the Islamic movement.

    Haneya said in a statement faxed to the media that he welcomes any efforts for conciliation, renewing call to the Arab League to engage in more serious efforts for the sake of Palestinian national unity.

    "Hamas' government is ready to start a dialogue on the base of no lose or victory" between the Palestinians, according to Haneya's statement.

    In a news conference in Ramallah on Monday with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Abbas said he is considering seeking efforts, whether Arab or international, to reach a conciliation with the Islamist Hamas party.

    Earlier, Abbas banned any contacts with Hamas unless the Islamic movement gives up its control on the Gaza Strip, which was taken by Hamas by force in last June.

    While Hamas insisted that giving up control over Gaza should be made via the unconditional dialogue with Fatah, saying it was "ready for dialogue with Fatah but without any preconditions."