Hamas Agrees To Hold Palestinian Elections After Four Countries Give Guarantees

Ismail Haniyeh

GAZA, Jan 5 (NNN-WAFA) – A senior Hamas official said, Hamas agreed to hold general elections in the Palestinian territories, after four countries have guaranteed the success of the elections.

The guarantees were given by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and Russia, said Taher al-Nono, an aide to Hamas chief, Ismail Haniyeh, in a press statement

Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, earlier said, he received a letter from Haniyeh, on ending the dispute between Hamas and Abbas’ Fatah.

“Haniyeh’s letter to Abbas, to hold the elections, came as a step to achieve partnership and unity of the Palestinian institution on three levels: legislative, presidential, and the National Council,” al-Nono said.

He revealed that, Hana Nasser, chairman of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission, will soon visit Gaza, to prepare and negotiate a mechanism for the elections.

On Sunday, Haniyeh said, Hamas and Fatah had put an end to their dispute over the general elections, adding, Hamas was ready to participate in the legislative and presidential elections.

The internal division between Fatah and Hamas came after Hamas routed Abbas’ security forces in the Gaza Strip and seized control of the Palestinian enclave in the summer of 2007.