RAMALLAH, June 8 (JMCC) - A Palestinian official confirmed that preparations are underway in Gaza to host Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa next week.

We have begun contacts with the Arab League and with the related authorities in the Gaza Strip, said Yasser Wadi', coordinator of an independent group that has sought to bring together authorities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. 

This is a historic visit, said Wadi', and important because of the political weight represented by Moussa.

He said the first goal of the visit was to help achieve Palestinian reconciliation, and the second was to express solidarity with the blockaded Gaza Strip.

Authorities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip have been divided between the Palestinian factions Fateh and Hamas since the later took control of Gaza security installations in the summer of 2007.

After the takeover, Israel tightened control of Gaza's borders preventing the entry and exit of most people and goods.