Khalid Meshal, the head of the Political Office of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has told a Russian newspaper that the United States is "obstructing" Palestinian reconciliation. Along with a high-level delegation, Mr. Meshal began a formal visit to Russia on Monday to hold talks with Russian officials. The agenda includes the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and the progress being made towards reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah.

The visit comes following an invitation from the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov. It is the third such visit since Hamas won the Palestinian elections in 2006.

According to Mr. Meshal, "Palestinian unity is possible, provided that the United States stops obstructing matters, using its veto to derail the reconciliation process." Adjustments in the terms of the proposed reconciliation paper, made by Egypt without the support of Hamas, are another reason for the delay in reaching an agreement, he added.