Abbas met officials of the Gaza-based Palestinian national unity government

"The meeting took place in a positive atmosphere. We spoke about the hardship the Palestinians have gone through. I hope this is the prelude to dialogue."

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas met officials of the Gaza-based Palestinian national unity government in the West Bank on Friday.

The Palestinian President hosted Nasserdine al-Shaer, the deputy of Prime Minister Ismail Haniya at his office in the West Bank capital of Ramallah.

Two other senior Hamas members in the West Bank, Farraj Rumana and Hussein Abu Qweik, and Hamas MP Ayman Daraghmeh also attended the meeting. All men also attended the Friday Prayers at the leadership compound.

In Ramallah, Shaer said he and his colleagues had discussed with Abbas the internal situation in the Palestinian territories in an open manner.

"This sends a positive signal to our people and decreases tension," said Shaer.

"The meeting took place in a positive atmosphere. We spoke about the hardship the Palestinians have gone through. I hope this is the prelude to dialogue," added Abu Qweik.