Jordan's King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Thursday urged feuding Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah to end their feuds and close ranks, so as to be able to "confront challenges," according to an official statement. During a telephone conversation, the two Arab leaders "underscored the importance of boosting unity of the Palestinian people at this stage so as to be able to confront looming challenges," the statement from the royal court said, according to dpa. The contact, which was initiated by Mubarak, came against the backdrop of renewed fighting between the ruling Hamas group and President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement. Egypt has been mediating talks among various Palestinian groups with a view to firming up a shaky truce between the Palestinians and Israel. "The two leaders also discussed latest developments in the Middle East region and bilateral ties," the statement said.
