RAMALLAH, March 9 (JMCC) - The
Palestinian Authority has discussed with European diplomats the possibility of removing
Hamas from international terrorism lists, negotiator Nabil Shaath told reporters in Cairo,
according to the
Jerusalem Post.
The move would be key for Hamas to join a Palestinian unity government, an idea fielded by prime minister designate
Salam Fayyad in recent days.
“We are seeking to have Hamas removed from the list of terror organizations,” he said. “We want EU countries to recognize a Palestinian unity government that would include Hamas and other factions.”
Sha’ath said that his Fatah faction was keen on ending the dispute with Hamas.
“The current circumstances require us to reorganize our Palestinian home,” he added. “I have announced several times that we have accepted the Egyptian [reconciliation] initiative. We have agreed to a national unity government [with Hamas] that would implement the Egyptian document and prepare for elections.”
Palestinian leaders are facing grassroots pressure to end the factional division between Hamas and
Fateh, which has left Hamas in control of the
Gaza Strip and Fateh dominating the Palestinian Authority in the
West Bank.
Shaath's comments come after Fateh
issued a statement rejecting Fayyad's proposal for a unity government, however.
While Fayyad sought a unity government based on existing security understandings in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, Fateh prefers a more comprehensive agreement based on talks mediated by Egypt.
Hamas leaders in Damascus have said that the Egyptian talks became defunct along with the presidency of Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak.