President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah movement said Saturday that the Palestinian leader "opens his arms" to settle differences with Hamas.

"President Abbas opens his arms to end the Palestinian division and start dialogue," Azzam al-Ahmad, chief of Fatah parliamentary bloc, told the press.

"Doors are open for Hamas to return to the Palestinian legitimacy under the leadership of President Abbas," said al-Ahmad.

He, however, stressed that any dialogue with Hamas should be based on previous deals between the two movements and tackles all outstanding issues which prevent the formation of a unity government.

Last June, Abbas fired a Hamas-led government after the Islamic movement violently seized the control of the Gaza Strip and ousted Abbas’ Fatah movement.

Abbas bans any contact with Hamas unless Hamas gives up its control on Gaza.

(Xinhua)