Hamas,PLO delegations head toYemen

Delegations from the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Hamas have headed to Sanaa for separate talks with Yemeni authorities.

The talks on a Yemeni initiative are aimed at healing a rift between PLO and Hamas.

The Yemeni initiative calls for a return to the status quo that existed before the Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in mid-June.

The PLO, which is led by Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas, plans to tell Yemeni authorities they would be ready to hold talks with Hamas if the group accepts the full initiative, particularly" a return to the situation that prevailed before June 15, 2007," according to a statement distributed by the Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Meanwhile,spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri stressed Hamas will meet only with the Yemeni authorities, but not with PLO representatives.

The PLO was expected in the Yemeni capital on Monday night. Officials from Hamas were due on Wednesday, said the officials.