Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has discussed with the Syrian president recent efforts to reconcile Palestinian factions. Meanwhile, Hamas says the time is right for reconciliation, Associated Press reported. Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal says Egyptian mediation has achieved results, echoing comments made by Abbas a day earlier in which he said the talks have reached an advanced stage. Mashaal spoke Sunday at a conference in Doha, Qatar. Mashaal called for the release of all political prisoners in Gaza and the West Bank to provide a «positive atmosphere» for Palestinian reconciliation. The Palestinian president is not expected to meet Hamas officials during his Syria visit
