Talks to reunite Fatah and offshoot party fail

Talks of reuniting the Fatah party and its new offshoot "Al-Mustaqbal" reportedly failed late Thursday night. Fatah member Kadura Faris said that the party would present two completely different lists in the upcoming elections for the Palestinian parliament, scheduled to be held on January 25,2006, Israel Radio reported. He claimed that not only will the new constellation not weaken the party, but will actually strengthen it in its competition against the Hamas. The Hamas recently defeated the ruling Fatah in a landslide victory in municipal elections held in the Palestinian territories.