Arrangements are being made for Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal to join Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy in Cairo Wednesday to discuss Palestinian reconciliation, according to Palestinian officials.
Abu Marzouq, the deputy chief of the Hamas politburo, said a delegation presided over by Meshaal will arrive in Cairo on Tuesday.
Officials in Egypt “will exert efforts to end division,” Marzouq posted on his Facebook page. “Palestinian consensus will represent pressure in achieving national unity.”
Egypt has sponsored reconciliation efforts between Fatah, the party that controls the West Bank, and Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, since 2007, when Hamas took control of Gaza and expelled Fatah leaders.
Abbas’ visit comes on the heels of an Egyptian invitation “to consider political developments in Palestine” and find “methods to end disputes,” said Barakat al-Farra, the Palestinian ambassador to Egypt and permanent representative to the Arab League, on Tuesday.
Abbas is also set to visit Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayyeb, and head of the Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Tawadros II to offer well wishes for Christmas and his recent ordination, Farra added.
Also arriving with Abbas on Wednesday will be chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat, Fatah Central Committee member Azzam al-Ahmed, Palestinian spokesperson Nabil Abu Redeina, investigations chief Maged Farag and presidential adviser for diplomatic issues Magdy al-Khaldy.
Edited translation from MENA
