A delegation from Hamas, led by its political bureau chief Ismail Hanyieh, met in Doha on Monday with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
A statement by Haniyeh’s office said that the delegation provided “a full explanation about the latest political developments, especially those relating to strategic issues, including Jerusalem, illegal Israeli settlements and refugees, as well as threats to the Palestinian Cause.”
According to the statement, the delegation underlined the Qatari leadership’s role in various international forum in support of Palestine, as well as the relief and humanitarian projects offered to the Palestinian people in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The meeting saw “in-depth” discussions over the Palestinian elections and the requirements for its success.
Haniyeh stressed in this regard the importance of “providing the required environment and public freedoms in the West Bank and Gaza, in order to achieve comprehensive national reconciliation and rebuild the official Palestinian institution on the basis of partnership and democracy.”
Haniyeh had arrived in Doha on Sunday, on the third leg of his foreign tour that saw him visit Egypt and Turkey.
In Istanbul, he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other Turkish officials.
A source in Hamas said that Haniyeh’s foreign tour could last for several months and include Russia, Lebanon, Mauritania, Kuwait and possibly Iran.
Sources said that Haniyeh might settle in Doha for several months, from where he would visit other countries.
