By Xinhua,
Gaza : Hamas on Monday confirmed it held contacts with the Arab League (AL) and Qatar to achieve reconciliation with rival Fatah movement of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
“The contacts Hamas holds with the AL and Qatar regarding the reconciliation with Fatah are not new,” said Ahmed Yousef, an advisor to deposed Hamas premier Ismail Haneya.
Haneya and Hamas’ politburo chief Khaled Mashaal asked AL secretary general Amr Moussa and the Qatari prince to arrange for the reconciliation, Yousef said, adding the recent calls were madeafter the AL and Qatar’s success in helping settling Lebanon crisis.
“The responses were positives and they promised to look into the request after consultations with all parties, including the Palestinian Presidency,” Yousef continued.
However, Yousef also stated the talks between Hamas and Fatah were suspended at present and that personal efforts by officials from the two movements failed to find common ground for reconciliation.
Abbas bans any contacts with Hamas since the Islamic movement’s violent takeover of Gaza Strip in last June. Abbas also fired the Hamas-led government and formed a western-backed administration ruling from West Bank.
Abbas says no talks would be held with Hamas unless it gives up its control of the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Yousef said Hamas did not receive an official Israeli rejection of an Egyptian offer for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Egypt proposed the lull to halt the increasing Israeli attacks in Gaza Strip and lift the siege that Israel imposed on the impoverished enclave when Hamas took it over in June 2007.
Yousef added that Hamas can not accept any deal without ensuring the opening of crossing points into Gaza.