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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Ramallah - Asharq Al-Awsat

Hamas Sees Polls as Opportunity to Mend Inter-Palestinian Ties

Policemen guard a bank as Palestinian Authority employees receive their salaries in Gaza City. Reuters file photo

Hamas politburo member Hussam Badran has stated that the Palestinian elections would lead to mending ties among different factions.

During an interview on Saturday, Badran expressed hope that the polls will end division and improve inter-Palestinian relations.

Hamas had aspired to achieve reconciliation before the polls but it had to agree on holding general elections due to different challenges.

Hamas took the decision to move on with the general elections based on prior consultations, he added, stressing that this stance falls in line with the movement’s principles.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has signed a decree setting legislative elections for May 22 and a presidential vote on July 31.

Badran said the issues of the Palestinian National Council (PNC) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) will be discussed in Cairo.

Hamas insists on agreeing on the PNC’s elections before the legislative elections.

Reliable sources told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that Hamas wants to ensure the elections take place.

Member of the political bureau of Islamic Jihad in Palestine Mohammed Al-Hindi asserted that the national dialogue will resume mid-March.

During a meeting with several journalists and writers, Hindi declared that his movement would head to Cairo to resume talks on the PNC’s elections based on national unity.

He stressed that the Islamic Jihad insists on participating in the PNC’s elections, considering it the only legitimate representation of all Palestinians.

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