Region | Palestinian Territories
Hamas to skip Egypt-hosted Palestinian talks
A senior Hamas official in Syria on Saturday said that his group would not join Palestinian reconciliation talks with rival Fatah.
- Agencies
- Published: 17:13 November 8, 2008
Damascus: A senior Hamas official in Syria on Saturday said that his group would not join Palestinian reconciliation talks with rival Fatah.
Deputy Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marzouk said the group's decision to stay away was taken after Fatah failed to release Palestinian prisoners from its jails.
The feuding groups were expected to discuss forming a join government and rebuilding security forces at the start of the talks in Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday.
Abu Marzouk said Egypt's "vision" for reconciliation "does not represent the Hamas point of view." He did not elaborate.
The Fatah delegation, already in the Egyptian capital on the eve of the talks, expressed shock at Hamas' decision.
"This decision is unwise...It shows that Hamas is irresponsible when it comes to the fate of the Palestinian people," said Fatah member Ahmad Abdel Rahman.
Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki confirmed that the talks had been cancelled because of Hamas' decision.
Share this article
More from Palestinian Territories
More from Region
Popular in News
News Editor's choice
-
Secret Service admits failure over White House-crashers
May pursue criminal investigation against salahis
-
Aquino, running mate file certificates of candidacy
Number of showbusiness glitterati show support for Cory's son
-
Polanski chalet secured for sentence
Court order specifies monitoring bracelet to be worn by sex offender
