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Hamas parliament bloc launches inter-Palestinian reconciliation initiative

Xinhua, February 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

Hamas' parliamentary bloc on Tuesday launched an initiative to achieve inter-Palestinian reconciliation, including the formation of a national unity government and holding general elections.

"The initiative is aimed to put a national strategy to face all challenges and implement past agreements among rival Palestinian factions," first Deputy Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Ahmad Bahar of Hamas, told a press conference in Gaza city.

It also calls for the formation of a national unity government to "undertake its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and for the convocation of the PLC immediately in order to vote confidence into the new government," he added.

Hamas' initiative also includes setting a date for holding legislative and presidential elections and the elections of the PLO National Council, based on an agreed upon elections law, Bahr said.

Rival Hamas and Fatah movements are expected to hold a meeting in Doha next week, after a series of unofficial meetings between leaders of both sides.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated earlier this week that he proposed a two-point agreement with Hamas to form a national unity government and hold national elections three months after the government is formed.

An agreement to end the rift and form a national unity government was reached between both factions in April 2014 but did not reach a breakthrough. Endit