For the first time since 2007 the political leader of Hamas is due in Moscow for talks on how to unite Palestinians and resume talks with Israel.

The talks come just two weeks after Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas visited Russia.

The two factions split in 2006 with Hamas seizing the Gaza strip following violence a year later.

According to a Hamas representative in Lebanon, Osama Hamdan, who is among the delegation members, the “visit of the Hamas delegation to Russia is paid at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov."

“The visit is held within the framework of permanent consultations of the Islamic Resistance Movement with the Russian authorities. We intend to maintain this dialogue,” the Hamas representative said.

Answering a question if the Hamas delegation intends to discuss in Moscow any initiatives on the restoration of inter-Palestinian unity, Osama Hamdan said, “Certainly, we have proposals on this issue. We have ideas on which it is necessary to work. But we also want to hear the Russian side's view.”

Russia remains the only member of the Middle East Quartet to openly talk with Hamas.

Source: Russia Today