TEHRAN (IRNA) -- Former president Mohammad Khatami on Wednesday called on the Palestine Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh to settle their differences through direct talks.

Khatami, who is head of Tehran-based International Institute of Dialogue Among Cultures and Civilizations, sent separate letters to Abbas and Haniyeh. "Regretful news on infighting in Palestine break hearts of Muslims and endanger the identity of Palestine's freedom fighters well-known for their meritorious campaign against occupation in wise and powerful resistance for six decades," he said. He added bloody clashes and events in Gaza, which has been completely occupied by the Zionist regime, are a regretful image of family clashes between men and women whose homes are still surrounded by enemies and are exposed to the danger of an aggression. "Based on my humanitarian and Islamic duty and as head of the International Institute of Dialogue Among Cultures and Civilizations, I emphasize the need for special efforts to quench flames of the disturbance. "So, this tragedy will be ended at the earliest by preferring dialogue to clash," Khatami said. He added the occupying regime of Qods would take advantage of such catastrophic clashes for more suppression of the Palestinian people and refusal to respect their rights. The infighting will weaken the national campaign against occupation which has set a record by brave resistance of the Palestinian and Lebanese nations against aggression, he said. Khatami wished victory for all Palestinian men and women who have suffered great pains during years of exile, prison and suppression and who are still fighting to restore their fundamental rights.