Opinion Editorials, September 2010

Hamas and Fat'h Closer Than Ever to Unity Deal, After Al-Ahmad's Visit to Damscus

Published today (updated) 25/09/2010 12:10

BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) --

Fat'h and Hamas leaders, who met in Damascus Friday evening, have agreed on several disputed points in the Egyptian reconciliation document, according to a joint statement released after the meeting.

According to the statement, read to reporters by Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marzouq, the sides also laid out a plan to continue talks, and a series of meetings in the near future where issues remaining unresolved would be discussed.

"Talks were held in friendly and brotherly atmosphere showing a true will to end rivalry," Abu Marzouq said during a news conference, saying both Fat'h and Hamas leaders participating in the effort had agreed on the mechanisms by which they hoped to reach reconciliation.

“Disputed items in the Egyptian reconciliation document were reviewed and agreement was reached on many of these points. There will be another meeting soon to discuss and agree on the rest of disputed items in order to reach a final draft to be approved by all Palestinian factions,” Abu Marzouq added.

Principal among the remaining disputes between the factions has been the issue of security forces: Who would control forces where and mechanisms by which they would be unified in the event of reconciliation. The issue of a unity government and a timeline for elections has also been a sticking point, and time under the new government to build trust and rehabilitate Gaza was primary concern.

Heading the latest unity delegation for Fat'h was Azzam Al-Ahmad, member of the movement’s top governing body, who expressed doubt ahead of his departure for Syria, saying "we will see what they have to offer."

For Hamas, head of the movement’s politburo in exile Khaled Mesha'al, who is based in Damascus, lead talks.

According to Abu Marzouq, when a final agreement is reached, both sides will head to Cairo and sign the Egyptian document. The compromises reached in the current round of talks would be considered binding by both sides, and as amendments to the application of the unity document.

Fat'h signed the Egyptian-mediated unity document in October 2009, though Hamas officials said there were issues in the document that they felt did not address concerns held by the party. When Palestinian representatives attempted to have the issue of the Goldstone report on human rights and international law violations pulled from the UN Human Rights Council discussion later in the month, Hamas officials initially refused to sign the document in protest, saying the UN body must vote on the issue.

The renewal of unity talks between the rival factions comes as PLO officials continue peace talks with Israel, which were re-launched on 2 September on invitation by the US.

Sides said before the talks began that if the latest round failed, Palestinians would work to earn world support for the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state.

Fateh, Hamas Officials Meet In Syria
Saturday September 25, 2010 10:17 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies
Officials of the rival Fateh and Hamas movements held on Friday a meeting in the Syrian capital, Damascus, and reportedly managed to achieve some progress in dissolving disagreements regarding the Egyptian Unity Document.


The meeting was headed by Azzam Al Ahmad of Fateh and Khalid Mashal, head of the Political Bureau of the Hamas movement in Syria.

During a press conference that followed the meeting, Al Ahmad and Mashal stated that several points of agreements were reached and that they also agreed on certain measures and steps to be taken in order to achieve reconciliation.

Mousa Abu Marzouq of Hamas read a joint statement following the meeting and said that it was held in a positive atmosphere.

Abu Marzouq added that the two movement agreed to meet again soon in an effort to reach an agreement in the remaining issue and to achieve a final draft for national unity in cooperation with all factions.

According to the statement that was read by Abu Mousa following the meeting, should all points of disagreement be resolved, all factions would be heading to Cairo to sign the unity deal.

Fat'h, Hamas Officials Meet In Syria

Saturday September 25, 2010 10:17 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Officials of the rival Fat'h and Hamas movements held on Friday a meeting in the Syrian capital, Damascus, and reportedly managed to achieve some progress in dissolving disagreements regarding the Egyptian Unity Document.

The meeting was headed by Azzam Al-Ahmad of Fat'h and Khaled Mesha'al, head of the Political Bureau of the Hamas movement in Syria.

During a press conference that followed the meeting, Al Ahmad and Mesha'al stated that several points of agreements were reached and that they also agreed on certain measures and steps to be taken in order to achieve reconciliation.

Moussa Abu Marzouq of Hamas read a joint statement following the meeting and said that it was held in a positive atmosphere.

Abu Marzouq added that the two movement agreed to meet again soon in an effort to reach an agreement in the remaining issue and to achieve a final draft for national unity in cooperation with all factions.

According to the statement that was read by Abu Marzouq following the meeting, should all points of disagreement be resolved, all factions would be heading to Cairo to sign the unity deal.

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