RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is calling for dialogue with Hamas after insisting for months that the militants give up control of the Gaza Strip first.
He says that if the talks succeed he will call for new legislative and presidential elections.
Abbas says there must be national dialogue that would end the divisions that harm Palestinians and their cause.
In Gaza, a Hamas spokesman is welcoming the call in Abbas's speech, calling it a positive step.
Hamas overran Gaza a year ago and expelled forces loyal to Abbas.
