Hamas PM calls on Abbas not to negotiate with Israel

Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh called on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas "not to fall into the trap of negotiations" launched by US Secretary of State John Kerry.               

In this regard, Haniyeh urged Abbas on Friday "to build a Palestinian strategy based on reinstating unity and ending division as well as building a solid and resistant Palestinian entity".       

This comes as Kerry has returned to Jerusalem for his second visit in less than 24 hours as he hopes to coax Israelis and Palestinians back to the negotiating table.           

US Secretary of State Kerry had a lengthy dinner meeting on Thursday night with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.         

Kerry then went back to Amman, Jordan his base for this latest round of Mideast diplomacy for talks Friday with President Abbas.        

After that it was back again to Jerusalem to meet with the Israeli side after a short helicopter ride.           

Kerry hopes his shuttle diplomacy can help restart talks to find a two-state solution to the conflict. He's on a two-week swing through the Middle East and Asia.      


LBCI/AP