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UN Envoy Says Conflict Likely If Palestinians Fail to Unite

by Associated Press

   UNITED NATIONS --

   The U.N.'s Mideast envoy says reconciliation talks between Palestinian
   rivals Fatah and Hamas must succeed, warning that failure "will most
   likely result in another devastating conflict."

   Nickolay Mladenov told the Security Council Monday that "critical
   intra-Palestinian talks" are scheduled to open in Cairo on Tuesday.
   He said the Oct. 12 agreement between the rivals, aimed at restoring
   the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority's rule in the Hamas-controlled Gaza
   Strip, started "a long road that could lead to reconciliation."

   But he said the rival factions must first solve the humanitarian crisis
   for Gaza's two million residents and return the territory to full
   civilian and security control by the Palestinian Authority.

   Tuesday's talks are expected to focus on the Palestinian Authority's
   expansion of its rule in Gaza.