MALAYSIA ASKED TO MEDIATE PALESTINE NATIONAL RECONCILIATION

Kuala Lumpur, 29 Muharram 1435 /3 December 2013 (MINA) – United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and the Palestinian Cultural Organisation Malaysia (PCOM) have been asked by Khaled Meshaal, the leader of Palestine’s Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), to lead the reconciliation talks between Hamas and Fatah.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the request was made during Khaled’s first official visit to Malaysia this week to attend the international forum hosted by Umno in conjunction with the party’s annual general assembly, The Straits News reported as quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).

“After the establishment of PCOM (in 2011), Hamas is confident that Umno and PCOM will be a good catalyst for the Palestinian reconciliation programme,” he said after receiving a courtesy call from Khaled at the Putra World Trade Centre today.

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Zahid, who serves as PCOM’s advisor, said Malaysia has vowed to continue providing aid for development in Gaza, following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s trip to the Gaza strip and Rafah, Egypt last January.

The government will also set aside scholarships and hold training courses for young Palestinians in Malaysia, as well as provide technical support and training for Gaza residents.

Speaking to reporters, Khaled praised Najib’s leadership of Umno and extended his congratulations for the party’s recent success in the 2013 general election.

He also expressed his admiration for Malaysia’s success as a Muslim-led democracy, marked by mutual co-existence between different communities and its economic and scientific development.

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“As Muslims, we are proud to have a country like Malaysia that we can learn from.”

Umno is Malaysia’s largest political party,, which has played a dominant role in Malaysian politics since independence.

The UMNO emphasizes as its foundation the struggle to uphold the aspirations of Malay nationalism and the dignity of race, religion and country. The party also aspires to protect the Malay culture as the national culture and to uphold, defend and expand Islam.(T/P03/P04)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)