By Xinhua,
GAZA : The Islamic movement of Hamas Monday slammed the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for criticizing the movement’s political attitudes of ruling the Gaza Strip.
Fawzi Barhoum, Hamas spokesman in Gaza made the accusation in a statement in response to Abbas’ Sunday remarks during his two-day visit to Egypt that there is no dialogue with those who do not recognize Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
Abbas’ remarks are rejected and “it would miscarry all cases of public support Hamas had earned all over the world,” Barhoum said in the statement.
A Hamas militant walks through the destroyed Hamas headquarters compound in Gaza January 24, 2009.
A Hamas militant walks through the destroyed Hamas headquarters compound in Gaza January 24, 2009.
He added that “Abbas is blocking any attempt to succeed the dialogue, which aims at achieving an inter-reconciliation and end the status of split and disputes among the Palestinian rival parties.”
Hamas, which is not a member in the PLO that was established in 1964, refused to joint the organization until it gets reformed. Abbas, who is the PLO chairman conditions that Hamas should recognize it first before joining it.
Exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal’s recent statement about forming another Palestinian leadership, which was interpreted as an alternative to the PLO, has complicated the possibility for reconciliation.
“When Hamas said it wants to form a new Palestinian leadership, it didn’t mean to erase the PLO or create an alternative to it, but to include other minor factions who were not included in the PLO,” said Barhoum.
However, a senior Hamas official said on Monday that his movement is seeking an immediate reforms of the PLO that is chaired by Abbas.
Meanwhile, Osama Hamdan, Hamas representative in Lebanon also accused Abbas in a written statement sent to reporters for blocking the efforts for reconciliation and for the PLO reconstruction.