Fatah, Hamas welcome Qatar invite

Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have welcomed a Qatari proposal to hold reconciliation talks in Cairo, following concerns Palestinian unity efforts have failed. Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani used his opening speech at the Arab League’s 24th summit in Doha to propose a “small-scale summit” bringing together representatives from both factions, under Egyptian supervision. The meeting would aim at “achieving Palestinian national reconciliation and form a Palestinian cabinet,” the emir suggested. Hamas leader Yehia Moussa has said his Islamist movement welcomes “all efforts and goodwill” towards national unity. However Moussa also accused Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas of looking to impose the terms of the Quarter for Peace (including the United States, European Union, Russia and the United Nations) on the Gaza-based organisation. Terms include Hamas abandoning violence and recognising the state of Israel. Hamas instead wants to see a “modified and improved” Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), Moussa claimed. Fatah member Faisal Abu Shahla also celebrated Arab League efforts to end divisions between the two groups, claiming his government would pursue a national consensus government led by President Abbas. Parliamentary and presidential elections would follow, Abu Shahla added. Fatah and Hamas representatives had previously met in Cairo, supervised by Egyptian intelligence officials, in February to agree on terms for the next stages of reconciliation.