Special to WorldTribune.com

RAMALLAH — The West has sought to reconcile the two leaders
of the Palestinian Authority.

Western diplomats said both the European Union and the United States
were urging PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad to end
their feud.

The diplomats said Brussels and Washington have also frustrated Abbas’ plans to dismiss Fayyad, a former official of the International Monetary Fund.

“Abbas understands that international aid to the PA is based on
confidence in Fayyad,” a diplomat said.

On April 23, U.S. special envoy David Hale met Abbas in Ramallah. The meeting took place amid Fayyad’s refusal to participate in PA efforts to renew diplomatic talks with Israel.

“He [Hale] is not getting involved in internal Palestinian Authority
issues,” State Department spokesman Victoria Nuland on April 23.

Diplomats said Fayyad has briefed EU and U.S. officials of his split with Abbas. They said the two men were no longer on speaking terms amid Abbas suspicions that Fayyad was acting independently.

On April 23, the London-based Al Quds Al Arabi reported that Fayyad
refused to deliver a letter from Abbas to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu. The daily, regarded as authoritative on Palestinian issues, said
Fayyad’s refusal embarrassed Abbas with the international community.
“I don’t work as a postman for Abbas and Fatah,” the newspaper quoted
Fayyad as saying.

The diplomats said many in the ruling Fatah movement were urging Abbas
to dismiss Fayyad or reduce his powers. Fayyad also controls the Finance
Ministry and approves salaries to PA security forces.

“President Abbas appointed Fayyad, and he is the only one who could fire
him or keep him in power,” Palestinian Legislative Council member Najat Abu
Baker, a senior Fatah member, said.

  Abbas plans to dismiss Fayyad, Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian Legislative Council, Two top Palestinian leaders not on speaking terms, U.S. special envoy David Hale, Victoria Nuland