EU foreign ministers back Abbas efforts on gov't

European Union foreign ministers are expected Monday to reiterate their support for the efforts of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to form a unity government with Hamas amid fears of increased factional violence in the Gaza Strip. The EU ministers were to issue a declaration urging reconciliation between Hamas and Abbas' Fatah movement. Abbas said Saturday he hoped a united government could be formed by the end of the month leading to an end of the international aid boycott imposed when Hamas took over the government in March.