Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas agreed with Hamas leaders on Saturday to convene the new parliament on February 16, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh told reporters. Haniyeh, one of three Hamas leaders to meet with Abbas in Gaza, also said afterwards that the group would seek to speed up formation of a new Palestinian government in February, although Abbas had not yet formally asked them to do so.Abbas has said he may formally ask a party to form a government only after parliament convenes. “We are starting the process and we are sure that within February we will be able to see a new government,” Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar said. Abbas and Hamas leaders met on Saturday in their first talks since the Islamic militant Hamas routed his Fatah Party in parliamentary elections. Hamas delegates arrived for the meeting at Abbas’ Gaza City office in a convoy heavily guarded by Hamas gunmen.