Damascus, October 12, SPA -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbashas discussed with the Syrian president recent efforts toreconcile Palestinian factions. Meanwhile, Hamas says the time is right for reconciliation, Associated Press reported. Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal says Egyptian mediation hasachieved results, echoing comments made by Abbas a dayearlier in which he said the talks have reached an advancedstage. Mashaal spoke Sunday at a conference in Doha, Qatar. Mashaal called for the release of all political prisonersin Gaza and the West Bank to provide a «positiveatmosphere» for Palestinian reconciliation. The Palestinian president is not expected to meet Hamasofficials during his Syria visit--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/597104