[Jimbuna]

No 'miracles' expected in talks between Hamas and Fatah on unified government

Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki says he does not expect "miracles" at talks with Hamas in Moscow tomorrow.

Representatives of Fatah, the governing party in the West Bank, and Hamas will meet to discuss the formation of a unified Palestinian government and the rebuilding of Gaza.

"We hope that there we might be good results in terms of mutual understanding between all factions about the need to support such a technocratic government that will emerge," said Mr Maliki.

"We don't expect miracles to happen in just a simple meeting in Moscow, but I believe that the meeting in Moscow should be followed by other meetings in the region soon."

The talks come as the Palestinian Authority, created approximately 30 years ago as part of the Oslo peace accords, seeks to challenge accusations of ineffectiveness.

Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh resigned as the president, Mahmoud Abbas', moved to try and ensure the Authority maintains its claim to leadership as international pressure grows for a revival of efforts to create a Palestinian state.