Participants have agreed to hold another round of meeting in the coming days to discuss important issues, including a ceasefire for one year, Palestinian sources disclosed.

Thursday's meeting, which lasted about two hours, also discussed general issues related to the current situation in the Palestinian territories.

Abdel Aziz Ranteesi, Hamas spokesman who attended the meeting, told reporters that Abbas and Hamas leaders discussed the situation in general, raised questions, and agreed to meet again in the coming days.

"Prime Minister Abu Mazen briefed us on the results of his meetings with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon," said Ranteesi, adding that in the coming meeting, each side would bring answers to the questions raised during the current talks.

Mahmoud Azzahar, a senior Hamas leader attending the meeting, told reporters that Hamas leaders are satisfied with the meeting, adding that "today's meeting is a continuation of the inter-Palestinian dialogue."

"There was a discussion of all issues related to the political situation, the internal Palestinian situation and the reforms conducted in the Palestinian (National) Authority," Azzahar said. PNA Minister of Culture Zeyad Abu Amer said "the meeting between Abu Mazen and Hamas leaders was serious, fruitful and positive."

"Abu Mazen explained in details his recent diplomatic activities to Hamas leaders," he added.

The two sides did not discuss details of ceasefire, but all the other outstanding issues related to the current Palestinian situation, said Abu Amer who attended the meeting.

Asked about what were the questions being raised in the meeting by Hamas and Abbas, Azzahar said answers would be brought to the meeting in the coming days.

Palestinian sources said Hamas leaders would discuss the questions, which might be related to a one-year Hudna (ceasefire), with other leaders of Hamas who are based in the Syrian capital of Damascus and Lebanon.

He said Hamas is looking for establishing a Palestinian authority based on justice, safety of the citizen and security for them against the Israeli military actions of incursions, assassinations and expansion of settlements.

(Xinhua News Agency May 23, 2003)