Palestinians urge Syria not to host Hamas talks

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - The Palestinian Authority sent envoys to Damascus on Sunday to urge Syria not to host a gathering involving Hamas and others opposed to a peace conference with Israel to be held soon in the United States.

"Hosting this meeting in Damascus would deepen Palestinian divisions and harm Arab efforts to overcome the crisis that led to the separation of Gaza and the West Bank", said Saleh Ra-Fat, one of three envoys dispatched by President Mahmoud Abbas.

Following the rout of his forces in the Gaza Strip by Hamas in June, Abbas has engaged in discussions with Israel and the United States that Washington hopes will lead to a conference in Annapolis, Maryland, before the end of the year.

U.S. officials hope several key Arab states will also attend the meeting, including Syria, which has otherwise chill relations with Israel and Washington.

Hamas, which Abbas dismissed from government after the fighting in Gaza, has rejected previous accords with Israel and wants to gather support against the Annapolis meeting. Several of its leaders live in exile in Damascus.