The delegations of the Palestinian factions started to arrive in Cairo for the national dialogue that would be held tomorrow. Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said that its delegation headed by Vice-Chairman of the Political Bureau Dr. Moussa Abu Marzouk has arrived in Cairo yesterday to hold meetings with the representatives of Fattah in order to overcome the obstacles that include the political arrests file. He added that the factions will hold a meeting on Thursday to agree on the themes of the dialogue, and to determine the five members of the emanating committees.
For their part, sources with Fattah said the delegation headed by Central Committee member Ahmed Qurei would arrive today to meet with Hamas.
Hamas leading figure Mahmoud al-Zahar said some Palestinian officials, who are supported by the United States as he put it, do not want a national dialogue on Thursday. He told Reuters in Ismailia: “There are people who do not want the dialogue because they would lose their positions and privileges,” pointing out that the Fatah arrests of dozens of Hamas members in the West Bank last week does not serve the dialogue.
Meanwhile, Dr. Rashad Al-Bayoumi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) Guidance Bureau, said MB has intervened to persuade Hamas to accept reconciliation with the Palestinian factions, especially with Fattah. He told Al-Masry Al-Youm: “MB provides counseling and advice to Hamas because it is part of the International Brotherhood Organization.” On another note, the Rafah crossing was open for the third consecutive day for patients, students and humanitarian cases.
