HAMAS-FATAH RECONCILIATION COMMITTEES HOLD REMOTE MEETING
Gaza City, 16 Rabiul Awwal 1434/28 January 2013 (MINA) – Two committees tasked with implementing aspects of a Palestinian reconciliation deal held a video conference on Sunday, officials said.
“West Bank and Gaza-based members of the social reconciliation committee and public freedoms committee spoke via video conference,” MP Ashraf Juma said, according to Ma’an report received by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) Monday (28/1).
The lawmakers said the meeting was the result of recent meetings in Cairo between the leaders of Hamas and Fatah.
Hamas chief Khalid Mashaal and Fatah’s President Mahmoud Abbas agreed to set a timetable to implement the May 2011 reconciliation deal at the Cairo summit.
The meeting agreed on the establishment of these committees to develop and enable reconciliation meetings for the liberation of Palestine, in addition to agreeing Election Law of the Palestinian National Council and the establishment of a commission of the National Council elections abroad.
Hamas delegation Abu Marzuq said the next implementation activities of the National Electoral Commission will be held in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, at least until Jan. 30.
MINA correspondent in Gaza City reported that the Egyptian government who facilitated the meeting appreciated the seriousness of both parties to respond the aspirations and demands of the Palestinian people.
Egypt will continue to oversee the process of the reconciliation implementation and will try to overcome any obstacles that may occur.
The reconciliation committees on Sunday discussed the release of political detainees, and how to address those killed and wounded in the inter-factional fighting that caused the split in 2007.
Juma said he still had hope that the long-stalled reconciliation could be implemented despite the tense atmosphere in the past few days due to the arrest of journalists in Gaza.(T/P10/R-006)
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
