By Xinhua,
Gaza : The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) ruling Gaza Strip called Saturday on French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner to visit the territory to learn about the suffering of its people.
Taher al-Nounou, a spokesman for the Hamas government in Gaza, told the press that the invitation “was motivated by France’s moral stance” which was reflected throughout Kouchner’s remarks.
Kouchner, who visits Israel and the West Bank since Tuesday, criticized the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the restrictions that Israel imposes on the movement of the Palestinians.
Earlier, the French diplomat confirmed reports that a retired French official has held contacts with Hamas despite the American and European boycott on the Islamic movement.
Al-Nounou said that Hamas “welcomes an active French role for ending the current divisions among the Palestinians,” referring to the boycott between Hamas and President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah movement.
In June 2007, Hamas ousted the long-dominant Fatah and routed pro-Abbas forces in fierce battles in Gaza, taking over the entire Gaza Strip.
Abbas fired the then Hamas-led government and formed a western-backed administration based in the West Bank. However, Hamas kept ruling the coastal strip and Israel sealed off the impoverished enclave.