Fatah-Hamas communications continue

Palestinian sources confirmed on Thursday that the communications between Fatah and Hamas are still ongoing, as they attempt to overcome the crisis surrounding the formation of a new government, within the framework of the reconciliation agreement signed by both sides in early May. Sources told Arabs Today: "The communications currently led by Egypt and Turkey, in addition to the Fatah delegation, are an attempt to persuade Hamas of the need to accept Salam Fayyad as the leader of the new government that they intend to form.”  The sources confirmed that all current efforts are aimed at preventing a "split" between Fatah and Hamas due to obstacles facing the parties in talks surrounding the formation of the new government, especially after the postponement of the meeting which had been scheduled for President Mahmoud Abbas and Khaled Mashal, Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas in the Egyptian capital, Cairo. “There are new attempts to arrange a meeting between the two delegations in order to reconcile both points of view after the accusations that have recently emerged as a result of the dispute” the sources added. Mousa Mohammed Abu Marzook, Vice-Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas in Gaza, demanded that Fatah must resolve their decision involving the naming the Prime Minister by consensus, to overcome the perceived obstacles do not really exist - namely that the reconciliation is on its way to failure. Abu Mazook stressed that both delegations should meet to decide who will be the next Prime Minister. On Wednesday, Abu Marzook said with regards to a statement made by Mahmoud Abbas on Salam Fayyad: “Despite the fact that Abu Mazen is proposing Fayad as a candidate for the presidency, which is considered an “obstacle”, he is fully aware of the fact that the agreement that we both signed states that we should both agree on the name of the President. When they signed the agreement Fayyad’s name was not put forward, therefore we hope this issue does not continue to be dealt with this way.” Speaking about the possibility of progress in other areas of the file of reconciliation, Abu Marzook stated that his party had originally asked for all matters dealing with reconciliation to be discussed at the same time so they could be resolved simultaneously.” He added: “However, Fatah have insisted that we discuss the issue of forming the government first, and now the issue of naming the President has come up, giving the impression that the reconciliation process has been stalled.” Abu Marzook stressed that the next government would be an interim government with specific tasks, and added: "With regards to the international community, and the way in which to deal with this government, the basic principles are that the government is agreed upon, and the trust of the Palestinian people comes first. We are ready to choose a government that does not surrender to any of the international parties who would continue the occupation and starvation of the Palestinian people." He stressed the Palestinian reconciliation is not only an “option” for Hamas, it is the “future” of the Palestinian issue as it is linked to ending the occupation, and, as he puts it, “putting in order the internal workings of Palestine.” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stressed the importance of working to achieve national reconciliation as a strategic objective that should be accomplished before heading to the UN Security Council next September. He emphasized how much the Palestinian leadership cares about the national reconciliation, and making it come about through the formation of an independent Government of “technocrats”, which will go on to achieve clear and specific goals. Abbas revealed that during the signing of the reconciliation agreement in Egypt, he suggested that the election be held 6 months after the signing. However, Hamas asked that the election be held a year after the signing instead. He pointed out that when there were discussions on the issue of forming the government and the President, Hamas objected to the person nominated as President, and that Fatah said: “We want a government that takes us forwards, not backwards towards past experiences. We want an internationally accepted government that is capable of generating the 4.5 billion earmarked for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.” “We want a government that follows the policy of independence, and handles the preparation of the upcoming election with results that we are satisfied with” he added. He stressed the determination of the government to end the suffering of its people in Gaza, and that the government is not a constitutional one, but a transitional one that will be in place until the election period is over. He said: “Despite all of the obstacles we did not lose hope, and God willing, we will manage to complete the national reconciliation, because it is in the interest of our people, our reputation, and our unity, and is essential in order for us to go together to the United Nations.” he said, adding: “God willing, it will take place before September, and we will form a government before then.”