Abbas meets Hamas officials to discuss presidential extension controversy

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met Thursday night with Hamas officials in his Ramallah office to discuss the controversy surrounding the possible extension of his presidential term. Nasser Eddin al-Shaer, a former Hamas deputy prime minister, attended the meeting and told the Palestinian news agency, Ma'an, that the dispute must be settled before the January 9 Palestinian faction talks, warning of disastrous consequences if a breakthrough is not reached.