Hamas chief set for Moscow talks

By Richard Galpin
BBC News, Moscow

Mr Meshaal recently met the Palestinian PM

Khaled Meshaal, the leader of the radical Palestinian organisation, Hamas, is to hold talks in Moscow with the Russian government on Monday.

Plans to form a government of national unity in the Palestinian territories with Hamas and its rival, Fatah, are expected to be top of the agenda.

This is Khaled Meshaal's second visit to Moscow in less than a year.

The first came just after Hamas won an unprecedented election victory in the Palestinian territories.

That victory caused surprise and alarm within Israel and many western countries.

Mediation ambitions

Mr Meshaal is returning to Russia at an equally critical time after intense pressure from the West and Israel, including the cutting of all financial aid.

The Hamas government has agreed to form a government of national unity with its rival, Fatah.

But the United States, the UN, the European Union and Russia - the so-called Quartet - repeated last week that Hamas must still meet three conditions before the financial blockade can be lifted.

These are that Hamas should:

• Renounce violence
• Recognise Israel
• Abide by previous agreements between the Israelis and the Palestinians

Russia is keen to play a mediating role in the Middle East and senses an opportunity with the credibility of the US increasingly be called into question in the region.

The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, is due to meet Mr Meshaal on Monday.

In a statement the Foreign Ministry said it would continue to try to stabilise the situation in the Palestinian territories and, in particular, try to persuade Mr Meshaal to accept the conditions laid down by the Quartet.