Hamas chief discusses Palestinian unity with Saleh

It is very important to get rid of all differences and disputes in order to reach conciliation between Hamas to help enhance the unity amongst all Palestinian factions, said President Ali Abdullah Saleh last Sunday at his meeting with the head of the political bureau of Hamas, Khaled Mashaal upon his arrival in Sana’a.

President Saleh assured full Yemeni support for any Arabian efforts to settle the dispute that is only harming the Palestinian cause and Palestinian people. 
Mashaal informed President Saleh about the developments of the tragic situation in the Gaza Strip due to the siege imposed by Israel. In the meeting, the two parties discussed new ideas to achieve Palestinian reconciliation between all factions. 

President Saleh reiterated Yemen's demand for an end to the siege imposed on the Palestinian people, indicating the tragic circumstances under which many Palestinians live.

Saleh then discussed the right of Palestinians to a viable, independent state, with political unity an essential precondition.
 
He explained that the state will never be formed until the wounds between Hamas and Fatah are healed.
 
Maashal expressed his appreciation and gratitude for President Saleh's support of the Palestinian cause. He praised the efforts of Yemen to end the Palestinian political rift, particularly the initiative proclaimed in Sana'a earlier this year.  

A press conference was held after the meeting in the presence of many Arab journalists. Mashaal told the audience that he briefed President Saleh about all that is happening in Palestine.  

"We have informed President Saleh about what is happening in Gaza now – it is still under siege despite the recent cease-fire," said Mashaal. He then spoke about the need to open all of the walled crossings between Gaza and Egypt. "President Saleh said that he will continue in his work and proposed certain ideas to help settle the dispute between Hamas and Fatah. We hope that these ideas succeed.  

Mashaal attributed the failure in reconciling the Palestinian political parties to Western interference, citing the Secretary of the Arab League, Ahmoud Moussa, who said that American obstructions should be removed from the Palestinian issue.  

Mashaal said that the Hamas movement is prepared to engage in any sort out dialogue with any Arab country to achieve reconciliation, and that Hamas is opening many doors to dialogue but is being blocked at every turn.  

Mashaal also met with assorted other Yemeni officials, including the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Parliament, in addition to other diplomats.  

Related Content

•  Possible ties between Islamic Jihad Organization and Israeli Intelligence discovered, says security
•  Residents near the US embassy live in state of fear
•  Notorious Jordanian artifacts smuggler released
•  International momentum builds up on fighting piracy in the Gulf of Aden
•  Espionage network for Israel arrested in Yemen
•  US court annuls verdicts of terrorism against al-Moyad and Zayed
•  Yemeni chanters condemn terrorist attack on US embassy
•  Yemen forms anti-piracy force,
•  Diesel crisis fuels extra burdens for citizens
•  President promises terrorists arrest